Sports

MUMBAI: Nepal came agonizingly close to defeating two-time champions England in the T20 World Cup 2026, falling short by just four runs. Despite their spirited performance, former Indian opener and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra expressed frustration over the way smaller teams like Nepal are treated by cricketing powerhouses. Aakash Chopra Calls Out Big TeamsNepal nearly pulled off a historic upset but fell short in the final over, needing 10 runs to win. Chopra argued that if bigger cricketing nations played consistently against emerging teams like Nepal, the outcome might have been different. “I’m going to talk about what we do with associate or slightly lower-ranked teams. It’s just token participation. It’s performative,” Chopra said. “They do good work, you praise them, and the...

NEW DELHI/COLOMBO: The highly anticipated India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match, scheduled for February 15, 2026, is back on track thanks to ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja. In a tense situation where cricketing politics threatened to overshadow the sport, Khwaja emerged as the crucial behind-the-scenes mediator ensuring the blockbuster fixture went ahead. A Key Figure Behind the CurtainRepresenting the Singapore Cricket Association and serving as ICC Deputy Chair, 64-year-old Imran Khwaja is widely regarded as a neutral and trusted voice in world cricket administration. A lawyer by profession, Khwaja has been part of ICC’s internal workings since 2008 and enjoys the confidence of both the Indian and Pakistan cricket boards, as well as associate nations. His immediate mission during the curr...

NEW DELHI/LAHORE: The controversy surrounding the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 clash scheduled for February 15 appears to be moving toward resolution. On Sunday, a key meeting took place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and ICC officials, with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chairman Aminul Islam also specially invited. Following the talks, Pakistan indicated readiness to play the match but has put forward three major conditions. ICC Pushes Pakistan to ParticipateAfter Pakistan initially announced it would boycott the match, ICC sent top officials to Lahore to mediate. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, BCB’s Aminul Islam, and ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja attended the meeting. Sources revealed that ICC made it clear to Pakistan that selective partic...

NEW DELHI: After a commanding start to their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, Team India has arrived in Delhi to gear up for their second group-stage match against Namibia on February 12. Ahead of the clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium, head coach Gautam Gambhir hosted a special team dinner at his Delhi residence, bringing the squad together and boosting team spirit. Team Bonding and Strategy SessionThe dinner, held on Sunday evening, saw the full Indian squad in attendance, along with BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla. Far from being a mere social gathering, the event served as an opportunity to strengthen team cohesion and discuss strategies ahead of the crucial match against Namibia. The squad’s morale is high following their opening victory over the United States, and Coach Gambhir aims to m...

MUMBAI: Nepal’s fearless performance in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener has captured the attention of the global cricketing fraternity. In a thrilling match at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, Nepal narrowly lost to defending champions England by just four runs, yet their spirited display earned them praise from none other than former South African pace legend and one-time world No. 1 bowler, Dale Steyn. Dale Steyn Extends Coaching OfferImpressed by Nepal’s fearless approach against a cricket powerhouse, Steyn took to social media to commend the team. “Nepal, if you ever need me, I’m ready to offer my services! Just keep pushing forward and upward,” he wrote. The gesture sparked excitement across Nepal’s cricketing circles. Young fast bowler Nandan Yadav expressed his awe: “It’s a huge honor...

NEW DELHI/COLOMBO: Clouds of uncertainty hovered over the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. Pakistan had earlier hinted at boycotting the group-stage match, sparking widespread speculation and concern in the cricketing world. However, signs now suggest a softening of Pakistan’s stance. BCCI Takes Official StandSpeaking to the media during a dinner hosted at Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir’s residence in New Delhi, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla clarified the Board’s position. “We will follow whatever the ICC decides,” Shukla stated unequivocally, emphasizing that the Indian Board has placed the matter entirely in the hands of the tournament organizers. This stance signals BCCI’s intent to stay clear of the polit...

NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team is set to face Namibia in their second match of the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 12 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. A change in the playing XI is expected, with senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah likely to return after missing the opening game due to viral fever. India Started the Tournament with a Convincing WinIndia began their World Cup campaign with a 29-run victory over the United States. In that match, India faced a mid-innings slump at 77/6, but a masterful 84-run innings from Suryakumar Yadav helped the team reach a competitive total of 161, which proved enough to secure the win. Playing XI Adjustment ExpectedWith Bumrah’s return almost certain, India may have to bench either Arshdeep Singh or Mohammed Siraj. Siraj impressed in the opener, taking...

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka made a victorious start to their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, defeating Ireland by 20 runs in a Group B clash at home. The win was powered by brilliant all-round performances from Mahesh Tikshantha and Wanindu Hasaranga, who each claimed three wickets, restricting Ireland to 143 after Sri Lanka posted 163. Ireland Bowled Out for 143Chasing 164, Ireland’s innings faltered from the outset. Captain Paul Stirling fell for 6 in the fourth over, followed by a brief partnership between Ross Adair (34) and Harry Tector (40). However, Hasaranga bowled out Adair, and wickets kept tumbling, denying Ireland any sustained partnerships. Lorcan Tucker scored 21, and Curtis Campher added 13, but the rest of the lineup struggled. Tikshantha and Hasaranga led the bowling charge, with M...

The T20 World Cup 2026 is underway, and after Pakistan’s thrilling three-wicket win over the Netherlands, attention has shifted to the West Indies vs Scotland clash. West Indies batted first and posted a competitive total of 182 runs on the board, led by Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive 64 and supported by 35 from Brendan King and 26 from Sherfane Rutherford. Scotland Lose Early WicketChasing 183 to win, Scotland started their innings with openers George Munsey and Michael Jones. The first breakthrough came quickly as Michael Jones was dismissed after scoring just 1 run from 5 balls. Scotland’s score now reads 7-1, signaling a tense chase ahead. West Indies’ Strong Batting PerformanceWest Indies had a controlled yet aggressive innings. After 10 overs, they were 66/2, with strong contribut...

New Delhi: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s historic 175-run innings in the Under-19 World Cup final against England was not just a display of raw talent—it was also the result of timely guidance from his childhood coach, Manish Ojha. A single piece of advice and a technical tweak helped the 14-year-old prodigy turn the final into a masterclass, earning India its sixth U19 World Cup title. A Motivating Message Before the FinalAfter scoring 68 runs in the semifinals against Afghanistan, Suryavanshi received a WhatsApp message from Ojha that served as both a challenge and motivation. The coach wrote that this might be the first tournament where he might not score a century. Ojha advised him that if he got set in the final, he must convert it into a big innings. Taking this message to heart, Suryavan...