New Delhi: Although Australia crashed out of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in the group stage, the team ended its campaign on a winning note with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Oman on February 20. The match proved historic for veteran leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who etched his name into the record books with a sensational performance. Australia had already been eliminated from the Super-8 race following defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. However, against Oman, they delivered a commanding display — powered largely by Zampa’s brilliance with the ball. Four-Wicket Haul and Player of the Match Zampa returned figures of 4 wickets for 21 runs in 3.2 overs, dismantling Oman’s batting lineup. For his match-winning spell, he was awarded the Player of the Match — a recognition that helped hi...

The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup has already witnessed 12 teams bowing out before the Super-8 stage. While team performances drew attention, several senior players also endured disappointing campaigns — raising serious questions about whether they will still be around for the 2028 edition. Here is a look at five cricketers whose chances of playing the next T20 World Cup appear slim. 1. Glenn Maxwell – Australia At 37, Glenn Maxwell is approaching the twilight of his international career. Once regarded as one of the most destructive T20 batters in the world, Maxwell struggled to make an impact in the 2026 tournament. Since the previous T20 World Cup, he has managed just one half-century in international T20 cricket. His off-spin bowling, once a valuable secondary option, has also lack...

Colombo: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has strongly defended Babar Azam’s role in the middle order despite continued criticism over the former captain’s strike rate in T20 cricket. The clarification comes ahead of Pakistan’s Super-8 fixture against New Zealand national cricket team at the R. Premadasa Stadium in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Babar, currently batting at No. 4, has faced scrutiny for maintaining a powerplay strike rate below 100 in the tournament. His approach has drawn debate among fans and analysts who question whether his tempo aligns with modern T20 demands. “The Team Needs Him in This Role” Addressing the media before the Super-8 stage begins, Hesson made it clear that Babar’s position in the lineup is strategic rather than incidental. “The team requires him...

Mumbai: The International Cricket Council has unveiled the list of match officials for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, assigning some of the most experienced umpires to high-profile clashes. India vs South Africa: Experienced Hands in Charge For the crucial Super 8 encounter between India and South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday, England’s Richard Kettleborough and New Zealand’s Chris Gaffaney will serve as on-field umpires. England’s Alex Wharf has been appointed as the third umpire, while New Zealand’s Chris Brown will take up fourth umpire duties. Pakistan vs New Zealand Opener in Colombo The Super 8 stage begins Saturday in Colombo with Pakistan taking on New Zealand. Australia’s Rod Tucker and Paul Reiffel will officiate on the field. South Africa’s Allahudi...

Pallekele: Already out of contention for the Super 8 stage, Australia signed off their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a crushing nine-wicket victory over Oman at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. A clinical bowling performance led by Adam Zampa set the tone before skipper Mitchell Marsh unleashed a blistering half-century to complete a one-sided contest. Australia’s Bowlers Dominate After winning the toss, Australia opted to field first — a decision that paid immediate dividends. Xavier Bartlett struck on the very first ball, dismissing Aamir Kaleem and putting Oman under early pressure. Oman’s captain Jatinder Singh and Karan Sonavale attempted to stabilize the innings with a brief 24-run stand, but wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. At the end of the ...

New Delhi: With the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 underway, verbal volleys have begun off the field as well. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif stirred controversy by claiming that Pakistan could defeat India later in the tournament — despite suffering a crushing 61-run defeat in the group stage. However, his optimism did not go unchallenged. Renowned Pakistani journalist Nauman Niaz openly dismissed Latif’s remarks during a television discussion, calling them unrealistic and overly ambitious. India’s Commanding Performance In their earlier encounter in Colombo, India delivered a clinical performance. Powered by a blistering 77-run knock from Ishan Kishan, India posted a formidable total. The bowling unit, led by Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, dismantled Pakistan’s ...

New Delhi: Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar has officially announced his divorce from his wife, Ishani Johar, bringing an end to their four-year marriage. The 26-year-old cricketer shared the development through a heartfelt post on social media, revealing that the legal process had been ongoing for the past 15 months. “I Married at a Young Age,” Says Chahar In his statement, Chahar reflected on marrying at the age of 22, admitting that he had not fully understood himself or the life he wanted to build at the time. “I got married at a young age, before I truly understood myself, my worth, or the life I genuinely wanted to create. Over the years, I learned lessons I never expected. The last 15 months were spent in court, where I learned patience, courage, and the kind of strength tha...

Colombo: New Zealand’s middle-order batter Mark Chapman has acknowledged the challenge posed by Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq ahead of their crucial Super 8 encounter in the T20 World Cup. The high-stakes Group 2 match will see New Zealand take on Pakistan in Colombo on Saturday. Chapman Highlights Tariq’s Unique Action Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Chapman said that Tariq’s unconventional bowling action — particularly his ability to pause at the crease before delivery — makes him a difficult bowler to read. “Usman Tariq has a very different kind of action. The way he holds at the crease before releasing the ball is quite unusual, and that’s something we’ll need to be mindful of,” Chapman said. He also emphasized that Pakistan’s spin department as a whole...