Team India is all set to lock horns with the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup 2026 match on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Ahead of the match, the cricket fans will expect swashbuckling opening batsman Abhishek Sharma to deliver a big knock. So far, having played two matches, he has not scored any runs, as he was dismissed on ducks on both occasions. Despite the struggles in the two matches, Team India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said that the left-handed batsman has his plans sorted. "Obviously we plan, but he wasn't well and didn't play (against Namibia). Last game got out in the first over. One thing we definitely do unnecessarily is overanalyse; sometimes you only start making more assumptions than the opposition do. He has his plans sorted, he follows the way he wants to, and obviously we discuss opposition, their bowling, their strengths, what they've been doing -- all that is normal for everyone, not just Abhishek," he said. He also explained the nature of the T20 cricket by saying that the format is of high risk and stressing over a player's form will only add pressure on the individual. "Abhishek, before he fell ill, made runs in matches. In the T20 format also, sometimes 10 balls 30 is as important. Not like he hasn't scored runs. T20 format is high risk, someone will get out. If we stress so much, players will be under pressure. He is in good form, has clear plans and a clear mindset, that's what matters for us," said Kotak. The batting coach also said a player should change his game plan according to the situations and not because of failures. "Playing aggressive cricket is important. But not because of a player's couple of failures will change. If anything, the plans will change according to situation and conditions. Like Mumbai game, where Surya has to stay there for a while, he was run-a-ball more or less for 30-35 balls, that's playing to the situation," said the 53-year-old coach. India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma. (With PTI Inputs)
17 February,2026 09:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPakistan suffered a humiliating loss by 61 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against arch-rivals, Team India, on Sunday. After the loss, Pakistan's spinner Usman Tariq, who has an unusual stop-start bowling action, said that there is no pressure in the dressing room and stated that winning and losing are part of the game. "To be honest, this pressure is mostly created by spectators and outside opinions. People feel there is panic, but inside the team, I haven't felt any such pressure. Winning and losing are part of the game," he said. The "Green Shirts" will lock horns with Namibia to conclude their group stage matches. The clash is scheduled to be played on February 18 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka. Ahead of the match, Tariq said that there is no clarity on the playing XI for the match against Namibia. They need to win against Namibia to make it to the "Super 8" stage of the tournament. "We believe in our strengths, and we'll use them in the upcoming matches. At the moment, there's no clarity about the playing XI. We'll see who plays on the day," said the spinner. He then revealed that following the loss against the "Men in Blue", the Pakistan team conducted a meeting to discuss where their plans didn't work, and how they can work on their mistakes. "After the match (against India), we had a meeting. We discussed where our plans didn't work, about the areas where we had lapses, and how we could revise them to make sure we don't repeat those mistakes. We'll work on those mistakes, and that will definitely help in getting better results," said the 30-year-old cricketer. During the match against Team India, he returned with the figures of one wicket for 24 runs in four overs. Pakistan's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (C), Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan (WK), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Khawaja Nafay (WK), Usman Tariq. (With PTI Inputs)
17 February,2026 06:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentZimbabwe on Tuesday entered the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup after their crucial Group B match against Ireland was washed out due to rain, a result that also eliminated former champions Australia and Ireland from the tournament. Both teams were awarded one point each. The shared points took Zimbabwe to five, enough to secure a Super 8 berth. They will face India in their opening Super 8 match on February 26 in Chennai. Zimbabwe became the seventh team to get a ticket to the Super 8s, completing group G1 also comprising India, South Africa and West Indies. Zimbabwe will play their final group match against co-hosts Sri Lanka on February 19. With table-toppers Sri Lanka (6) having already qualified for the Super 8s, the contest held significant importance for Zimbabwe and Ireland, who had come into the game with four and two points respectively. Australia were also on two points following their defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. The former champions needed Zimbabwe to lose both their remaining matches to stay in contention, but persistent rain ended their hopes. The toss at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was initially delayed due to drizzle, with the ground remaining under covers for a considerable period. However, continuous rain and a wet outfield prevented any play, confirming Zimbabwe's progression to the Super 8 stage. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
17 February,2026 06:27 PM IST | Pallekele | PTITeam India's premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya reflected on the defining moments of his career. He stated that the T20 World Cup 2016 match against Bangladesh shaped his career. Back then, Hardik managed to defend 11 runs in the final over, which helped him to gain the spotlight. A decade later, he is a part of the Indian squad as a senior player. "I think all these moments made me the kind of person I am. There were early challenges in my international career where I had to hold my ground and back myself. It was important to have belief. In cricket, even if there is just a 1% chance, the game is not over until the last ball of the match is bowled. That Bangladesh match was a classic example of that. One ball before the wicket, the batter had started celebrating as if the game was over. He was celebrating right in front of me, and it was all happening before my eyes," he said on JioStar. "When things turn around like that, they create wonderful memories. Every time I see it, I think about how, in the early days, that was one of the challenges in my life and one of the moments in my career that shaped Hardik Pandya. I have had many more moments like this, but my journey started with that one," added Pandya. Further speaking, the cricketer feels that he has just displayed 40 per cent of his batting skills by far and is keen on playing to his full potential. "I think the child in me, the cricket geek, who is always there, was focusing more on my skill set as a bowler. I have always had a lot of confidence in my bowling, but batting was very close to my heart. After the last IPL, I realised that I really wanted to play to Hardik's full potential. I think until now, I haven't utilised more than 40 per cent of my batting potential, and that is genuinely honest feedback. What I know as a cricketer, what I imagine, what I manifest, and how I practice, have not translated into performance by more than 40 per cent," said the 32-year-old cricketer. He also credited his rumoured girlfriend and Indian model, Mahieka Sharma, for helping him rediscover the excitement for the sport. Pandya then spoke about the days when he used to train for several hours at the NCA. "I took some time in my life to figure out how to bring that out. That's when Mahieka came into my life. We started talking about the sport and how to bring that child back. She helped me rediscover that excitement for the game that I always had. I went behind the scenes, worked really hard, and had a good amount of batting sessions. There were days when I was on the ground for six to seven hours. When I went to the NCA, I would go at 3:30 in the afternoon and finish at 12:30 at night. I was usually the last person to leave and shut the lights off," he said. T20 World Cup 2026: Team India's upcoming fixture Currently, Pandya is busy representing Team India in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. So far in the tournament, the "Men in Blue" have played three matches and have secured wins in as many games. They have also qualified for the "Super 8" stage of the global showpiece. Team India is set to conclude their group stage matches by playing a clash against the Netherlands on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (With ANI Inputs)
17 February,2026 05:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLegendary Team India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, along with 12 other former captains, have expressed concerns about jailed cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's health. The former cricketers have urged the Pakistan government to provide Imran adequate medical attention and dignified conditions in line with international standards. There have been reports suggesting that the 1992 World Cup-winning skipper, Imran, has lost approximately 85 per cent of vision in his right eye due to medical neglect while in custody at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. All 14 former skippers wrote a letter to the Pakistan government, asking for fair treatment for Imran. "We, the undersigned former captains of our national cricket teams, write with deep concern regarding the reported treatment and incarceration conditions of Imran Khan, the distinguished former Captain of Pakistan and a legendary figure in world cricket," the letter stated. "Recent reports concerning his health - particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody - and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern. As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour, and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan's stature deserves to be treated with the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and a global sporting icon," it added. The letter is signed by Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Steve Waugh and John Wright. Earlier in 2023, the former Pakistan cricketer was sentenced to 14 years in prison regarding a corruption case. "We respectfully urge the Government of Pakistan to ensure that Imran Khan receives: Immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing to address his reported health issues. Humane and dignified conditions of detention in line with international standards, Including regular visits by close family members. Fair and transparent access to legal processes without undue delay or hindrance," the letter further read. "Cricket has long been a bridge between nations. Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn-and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career. This appeal is made in the spirit of sportsmanship and common humanity, without prejudice to any legal proceedings," it added. It also highlighted the contributions of the 73-year-old former cricketer to the sport, stating that his leadership qualities and sportsmanship have inspired generations across borders. "Imran Khan's contributions to the game are universally admired. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders. Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit. He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike. Beyond cricket, Imran Khan served as Prime Minister of Pakistan, leading his nation during a challenging period. Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the honour of having been democratically elected to the highest office in his country," it read. (With PTI Inputs)
17 February,2026 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCo-hosts, Sri Lanka, may suffer a huge blow as their pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana limped off without completing his first over during the match against Australia held at Pallekele International Stadium in Sri Lanka, according to the ICC. Pathirana's suspected hamstring injury during the match on Monday may have left the former champions without their fastest bowler for the rest of the tournament. However, no official confirmation has come yet from the Sri Lankan cricket board on Pathirana's injury. The co-hosts are already without Wanindu Hasaranga, who was ruled out earlier in the tournament due to injury. The 23-year-old pulled up in his follow-through while delivering the fourth ball of his opening over and immediately clutched his left leg before going to ground. After on-field treatment, he was helped off the field. Captain Dasun Shanaka finished the over. Coming to the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first. An 104-run stand between a returning skipper, Mitchell Marsh (54 in 27 balls, with eight fours and two sixes) started off things for Australia, but Aussies could not make the most of this perfect headstart as they were skittled out for 181 runs in 20 overs, with Josh Inglis (27 in 22 balls, with three fours) and Glenn Maxwell (22 in 15 balls, with a four and a six) being the only ones to touch the 20-run mark later. Dushan Hemantha (3/37 in four overs) and Dushmantha Chameera (2/36 in four overs) were the top bowlers for Sri Lanka. In the run-chase, Perera fell early, but Nissanka (100* in 52 balls, with 10 fours and five sixes), Kusal Mendis (51 in 38 balls, with six fours and a six), and Pavan Rathnayake (28* in 15 balls, with six fours) took Sri Lanka to the target with eight wickets and two overs left. Australia are third in the group with one win and two losses, behind table-toppers SL and Zimbabwe, who have won both their matches. If Zimbabwe win their clash against Ireland on Tuesday, the Aussies will be out of the tournament. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
17 February,2026 03:35 PM IST | Pallekele (Sri Lanka) | ANICanada won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in their Group D match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday. The Kiwis made two changes to their playing XI from the previous game, with regular skipper Mitchell Santner unwell and rested, and Lockie Ferguson having left the side for the birth of his first child. Winning the toss, Canada skipper Dilpreet Bajwa said, “It looks like a good surface to start on, and later in the game there might be some assistance for the spinners. So it’s better to put runs on the board and defend a target. We’ve had a couple of night games recently, so a day game is a nice change. I think it suits us, especially with our spinners - the conditions should help them later on. One change- Kaleem Sana is out due to injury, and Shivam Sharma comes in.” Meanwhile, New Zealand’s stand-in captain Michael Bracewell said, “Mitch (Santner) not feeling too great today, so hopefully he’ll be good to go in 24 hours. Firstly, we’re really excited for Lockie with the birth of his first baby — that’s special news — and he’ll be back soon. In terms of the team, Kyle Jamieson comes in for him, so it’s a like-for-like replacement, which is good for us. Cole (McConchie) comes in for Santner as well, so again it’s a very similar role. He’ll be excited to get the opportunity. It brings different challenges. "A number of us have played quite a few games here in Chennai over the last few years, so we understand the conditions. We’ll assess the surface quickly and adapt as the game unfolds." Playing XIs: New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell (c), Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy Canada: Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (w), Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Shivam Sharma, Ansh Patel This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
17 February,2026 12:51 PM IST | Chennai | IANSThere was a forecast for rain at the Premadasa Stadium on Sunday night. Instead, it was a hurricane called Ishan Kishan that wreaked havoc, sweeping Pakistan aside with one of the more brutally beautiful innings of this T20 World Cup. Pakistan packed their XI with five specialist spinners and opened the bowling with a sixth. When Salman Agha sent Abhishek Sharma packing for a blob, predictions of this being a contest between India’s batters and Pakistan’s tweakers seemed justified till Kishan stepped up.
17 February,2026 09:52 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) plans to begin the inaugural edition of the T20 Mumbai Women’s League on June 1, with three teams set to compete in the tournament. “We are planning to start the T20 Mumbai Women’s League on 1st June,” MCA President Ajinkya Naik told mid-day on Monday. “It is a great opportunity for our women’s cricketers to showcase their talent and performance, which will ultimately strengthen and benefit Mumbai cricket,” Naik added. On Monday, through their website, MCA began inviting bids from interested parties, who wish to operate the three teams in the competition.
17 February,2026 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureOut of nine Associate Nations playing in the ongoing T20 World Cup, none have made it to the Super Eights. And Scotland all-rounder Tom Bruce believes unless these teams get exposure against top-ranked sides, little will change. “There’s been talk of it [associates playing top teams], but ultimately until we see action, nothing’s going to happen. We’d love to see more cricket between Associate Nations and Tier One nations,” said Bruce giving the example of Nepal, who fought brilliantly against England, and Italy who also ran England close in the tournament, to suggest the potential of the lesser established teams. “You see the success stories of Nepal and Italy here. You want to see more nations playing cricket and you want to see them playing against the best nations. Obviously, that decision is far above my pay grade, but when you look at the World Cup as a whole, it’s exciting watching Associate Nations play against Tier One nations, pushing them all the way,” added Bruce at the press conference on the eve of their match against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Scotland, who replaced Bangladesh only a few days before the start of the World Cup, have won a solitary game so far, beating Italy by 73 runs. When asked about the contest versus Nepal, Bruce said: “We’re hoping to see them [Nepal] at their best again tomorrow [Tuesday] so we can put on a good entertainment and good show for the crowd that’s going to come in.” Meanwhile, former South African cricketer and Nepal’s current consultant coach Nic Pothas felt his team “was not learning fast enough as a group,” and hoped his players “do not repeat their errors against Scotland.”
17 February,2026 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureAn unbeaten 52-ball 100 by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis’s 51 ensured Sri Lanka beat Australia by eight wickets here on Monday. The Lankans comfortably chased down the Australians’s 181 all out with 12 balls and eight wickets in hand. Earlier, coming back into the playing XI after missing the team’s first two matches of the tournament due to an injury, Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh got into the act straightaway, clobbering 54 in 27 balls. Head was equally brutal during his 29-ball 56, as the opening duo added 104 runs in less than nine overs to set Australia up for a 200-plus total. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha took 3-37 for the Lankans. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 February,2026 08:44 AM IST | Pallekele | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
