T20 World Cup Archives - Page 2 of 3

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s family targeted after defeat

February 25, 2026 by Newsdesk

Pakistan cricket team captain Salman Ali Agha’s wife and young son became victims of online harassment following the team’s defeat to England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8 stage.

On Tuesday, England defeated Pakistan by two wickets in a crucial Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, securing a place in the semi-finals. The victory was powered by a brilliant century from Harry Brook.

Pakistan posted 164 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, England chased down the target in the final over, finishing at 165 for 8.

Following the loss, fans and former cricketers criticized the team’s performance. However, some social media users crossed the line by directing abusive comments toward Salman Ali Agha’s family.

Salman Ali Agha’s wife, Saba, addressed the situation through an Instagram story, condemning the harassment aimed at her and their innocent child.

“Abusing me or my innocent son will not help you win the World Cup,” she wrote, urging fans to show restraint.

Her message quickly went viral, drawing reactions from the cricketing community.

Tabraiz Shamsi Condemns Behavior

South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi publicly condemned the abuse, expressing support for the family.

Its this type of stupid behaviour that pisses me off!!!! 😡

Yeah u can be sad that your team lost, winning and losing is part of sport but there is no need to abuse players families

This goes for fans from all different countries

Have some respect for others please!

Thank you https://t.co/DlDhKlM5IV
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) February 25, 2026

In a post on X, Shamsi wrote that such “foolish behavior” angers him. He added that while disappointment over a team’s defeat is natural and winning and losing are part of sport, targeting players’ families is unacceptable.

Salman Ali Agha’s wife Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/fAK46Ll0T5
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) February 25, 2026

“This is for fans of all countries—please respect others,” he emphasized.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing issue of online harassment faced by athletes and their families in the wake of high-profile sporting defeats.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Super 8 clash abandoned due to rain

February 21, 2026 by Newsdesk

Colombo: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8 clash between Pakistan and New Zealand was called off due to persistent rain, officials confirmed.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bat. However, heavy rainfall prevented even a single ball from being bowled, and the umpires later officially abandoned the match.

As per tournament rules, both teams were awarded one point each due to the no-result.

For the match against New Zealand, Fakhar Zaman was included in the playing XI in place of Khwaaja Nafees.

Pakistan’s next Super 8 encounter is scheduled against England on February 24, 2026.

Rain threat looms over Pak vs NZ Super 8 T20 World Cup match

February 20, 2026 by Newsdesk

COLOMBO: Weather concerns are rising ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8 clash between Pakistan and New Zealand, scheduled for Saturday at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Cricket fans are eagerly anticipating an exciting encounter, but similar to other matches in Sri Lanka, rain poses a significant threat.

According to AccuWeather, there is a 74% chance of rain in Colombo tomorrow, along with predictions of strong winds.

ICC rules state that there is no reserve day for Super 8 matches in the T20 World Cup 2026.

If rain prevents at least 5 overs per innings for either team, the match will be abandoned, and both teams will be awarded one point each.

Fans and teams alike will be keeping a close eye on the weather, as conditions could play a decisive role in this high-stakes Super 8 encounter.

Zimbabwe outclass Sri Lanka by six wickets

February 19, 2026 by Newsdesk

Colombo: Zimbabwe delivered a commanding performance to defeat hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets in a Group B clash of the ICC T20 World Cup.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka elected to bat first and posted 178 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Pathum Nissanka led the charge with a solid 62 runs, while Rathnayake contributed a valuable 44 runs to anchor the innings.

Confident Run Chase

In reply, Zimbabwe chased down the 179-run target comfortably in the final over, losing just four wickets.

Opener Brian Bennett remained unbeaten on 63, guiding his side home with composure. He was well supported by: Sikandar Raza – 45 runs, Marumani – 34 runs and Ryan Burl – 23 runs.

Zimbabwe Top Group B

With this victory, Zimbabwe finished top of Group B with seven points, remaining unbeaten in the group stage.

Zimbabwe won three out of four matches, registering victories over Australia and Sri Lanka, while one match was washed out due to rain.

It is worth noting that both Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka had already qualified for the Super 8 stage from Group B prior to this encounter.

Pakistan defeats Namibia by 102 runs to qualify for Super 8

February 18, 2026 by Newsdesk

Colombo: Pakistan secured a comfortable 102-run victory over Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup, booking their spot in the Super 8 stage alongside India.

Match Summary:

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bat first. The national team made two changes for the match, with Mirza Salman and Khawaja Nafay replacing Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed.

Pakistan Innings:

Opening batsmen Sahebzada Farhan and Saim Ayub started the innings, but Ayub was dismissed for 14 runs when the team score was 40. Captain Salman Ali Agha scored 38 off 23 balls before losing his wicket, while Khawaja Nafay managed 5 runs.

Farhan played a spectacular innings, scoring his first T20 World Cup century — 100 not out from 57 balls, including 4 sixes and 10 fours. Shadab Khan contributed 36 runs. Pakistan finished their 20 overs at 199/3. Namibia’s Jack Bresell took 2 wickets and Gerhard Erasmus claimed 1.

Namibia Innings:

Chasing 200, Namibia’s batting lineup collapsed under pressure. The team was bowled out for 97 runs in the 18th over. Top scorers were Steenkamp (23) and Alexander (20).

Pakistan bowlers were exceptional: Shadab Khan took 3 wickets for 19 runs, and Usman Tariq claimed 4 wickets for just 16 runs.

With this dominant win, Pakistan topped Group A and advanced to the Super 8 stage, where they will face India and other qualified teams.

The Pakistan cricket team achieved its largest-ever victory by runs in T20 World Cup history, defeating Namibia by 102 runs to qualify for the Super 8 stage.

Batting first, Pakistan set a challenging target of 200 runs, thanks to a brilliant century by Sahebzada Farhan. Namibia, chasing the target, was bowled out for 97 runs, handing Pakistan a commanding win.

This victory marks Pakistan’s first-ever T20 World Cup win by over 100 runs. Previously, the team’s largest win by runs came in the 2009 World T20, when Pakistan defeated the Netherlands by 82 runs.

With this dominant performance, Pakistan not only secured a place in the Super 8 stage but also set a new benchmark for margin-of-victory records in its T20 World Cup history.

Colombo weather poses risk to Pakistan vs India T20 World Cup showdown

February 14, 2026 by Newsdesk

Colombo: The highly anticipated Group A clash between Pakistan and India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for tomorrow in Colombo, may be affected by rain.

Meteorologists from the Sri Lanka Department of Meteorology have warned that a low-pressure system forming over the Bay of Bengal could bring heavy showers during the evening match.

The weather is expected to start warm and humid, with temperatures reaching 30–31°C during the day. However, thunderstorms and intermittent rainfall are predicted in the afternoon, with a 50–70% chance of precipitation.

The match is set to begin at 7:00 PM local time, but some weather models indicate that heavy rain could occur before the toss, potentially causing delays or a reduction in overs. While forecasts suggest slight improvement after 8:00 PM, intermittent rain is likely throughout the night.

In case the match is washed out, both Pakistan and India will be awarded one point each. Fans are eagerly hoping that weather does not dampen this high-voltage encounter.

Indian cricket team had to cut short their training session in Colombo due to a light drizzle, ahead of the much-anticipated T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan.

The unexpected rain forced the players to leave the ground earlier than planned, as preparation ramps up for the high-profile Group A encounter scheduled for February 15. Officials confirmed that the team will monitor the weather conditions closely and adjust training sessions accordingly.

Fans and analysts are keeping a close watch on Colombo’s unpredictable weather, as showers could impact match timing or even reduce overs for the Pakistan-India showdown.

Major upset in T20 World Cup as Zimbabwe beats Australia

February 13, 2026 by Newsdesk

In a stunning turn of events at the T20 World Cup group stage, Zimbabwe pulled off a remarkable upset by defeating former champions Australia in Colombo.

Zimbabwe batted first and posted a total of 169 runs, setting a target of 170 for Australia. In response, Australia fell short, being bowled out for 146 runs in the 20th over, handing Zimbabwe a 23-run victory.

Zimbabwe’s Batting Performance

Zimbabwe lost only 2 wickets while scoring 169 runs in their 20 overs. Brendan Bennett led the innings with a brilliant 64 runs, supported by Tadiwanashe Marumani and Ryan Burl, who scored 35 runs each. Sikandar Raza contributed 25 runs, helping Zimbabwe post a competitive total.

Australia Struggles in Chase

Australia struggled against Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, with Matt Renshaw scoring 65 runs as the only notable contribution. Glenn Maxwell added 31 runs, but no other Australian batsman could make a significant impact. Eight Australian players failed to reach double figures.

Zimbabwe’s Bowling Heroics

Blessing Muzarabani was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe, taking 4 crucial wickets and dismantling the Australian batting lineup, ensuring a memorable victory for his team.

This win marks one of the biggest upsets in the tournament, highlighting Zimbabwe’s competitive edge and sending a strong message to other teams in the group stage.

Pakistan beat USA by 32 runs in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

February 10, 2026 by Newsdesk

COLOMBO: Pakistan registered their second consecutive victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, defeating the United States by 32 runs in a Group A match played in Colombo.

After winning the toss, the USA opted to field first, inviting Pakistan to bat. Pakistan posted a competitive total of 190 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 20 overs, with Sahibzada Farhan top-scoring with an impressive 73.

In reply, the United States could manage 158 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs, falling short of the target. Pakistan’s win also helped them avenge their defeat against the USA in 2024.

Pakistan made one change to their playing XI for the match, bringing in Usman Tariq in place of Salman Mirza.

Pakistan’s innings got off to a solid start as openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan put together a 54-run partnership. Saim Ayub was dismissed for 19, while captain Salman Ali Agha departed cheaply for just one run.

Farhan then added valuable runs alongside Babar Azam, completing his half-century with confident stroke play. Babar scored 46 off 32 balls before being dismissed, while Farhan’s innings came to an end at 73. Shadab Khan also made a quick impact, scoring 30 runs off just 12 deliveries.

For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan had defeated the Netherlands by three wickets in a thrilling encounter, while the USA had suffered a loss against India.

Pakistan to play India in T20 World Cup after Sri Lanka President’s appeal

February 9, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to play its scheduled ICC T20 World Cup match against India on February 15.

According to sources, both Pakistan and India will participate in the T20 World Cup fixture as per the original schedule.

The decision comes following a request from the President of Sri Lanka, after which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved holding the match against India.

In a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara, the Sri Lankan President requested that Pakistan play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India in Sri Lanka.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, President Kumara emphasized the importance of the match and requested Pakistan’s participation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the sentiments, recalling Sri Lanka’s strong support for Pakistan during challenging times, including ensuring cricket continued in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister also noted Sri Lanka’s recent commendable gesture of not canceling their team’s tour of Pakistan, calling it an unforgettable action.

PM Shehbaz Sharif informed the Sri Lankan President that Pakistan would finalize its decision regarding the Pakistan-India match after consultations and provide updates accordingly.

President Kumara highlighted that even during times of terrorism, Pakistan supported Sri Lankan cricket and prioritized the long-standing bilateral relations by continuing cricket tours in Sri Lanka despite security challenges.

On the other hand, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested Pakistan to participate in the scheduled T20 World Cup match against India on February 15.

The request comes amid ongoing preparations for the tournament, emphasizing the importance of honoring the original match schedule to ensure a smooth and competitive event.

PCB informs ICC of decision not to play against India in T20 World Cup

February 7, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its refusal to play against India in the February 15 league match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, according to reports by Indian website Cricbuzz.

Indian media reports stated that Pakistan has communicated the specific reasons behind this decision to the ICC. Earlier, the Government of Pakistan had cleared the national team to participate in the tournament but explicitly prohibited them from facing India during the league stage.

Sources told Cricbuzz that the ICC has asked the PCB for clarifications under the Force Majeure clause in the Terms of Participation, seeking details on the steps Pakistan had taken to mitigate the claim.

The government in Islamabad has authorized the national side to play other matches but maintained its restriction on the marquee clash with India on February 15.

This situation follows Bangladesh’s decision to withdraw from playing in India, citing security concerns. As a result, Bangladesh was removed from Group C by the ICC and replaced by Scotland. Pakistan had supported Bangladesh’s request to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka.

“It’s sad Bangladesh is not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully, they will support us,” said Agha, referring to Pakistan’s hopes of regional solidarity.

Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for over a decade, meeting only in multinational tournaments. In the group stage, Pakistan will now face Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States.