In the T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands, Pakistan's premier batsman Babar Azam scored 15 runs in 18 balls, with the help of a boundary. Speaking about his performance, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting stated that by playing such a knock, the batsman not only puts pressure on himself, but also on the non-striker. "If you're 15 off 18 balls, you're not just putting pressure on yourself, you're putting pressure on the guy at the other end," he said. "The guy at the other end then knows that he's got to be the one to take up the boundary scoring. Babar needs to hit boundaries early on. He needs to get off and going, he needs two boundaries in his first six balls, otherwise the whole momentum of the game is going to change every time he goes in," added Ponting. He then feels that Babar has lost his ball-striking ability and said that the "Green Shirts" will need the best version of him, going further in the global showpiece. "It just looks to me like he's lost a bit of his power, his ball striking ability, like taking that spinner on the way he did and not being able to even go close to clearing it. I defended him at the start of the tournament, a big name player in a big event experience, you need (those players) in your side if you're going to win. Pakistan need the best version of Babar Azam if they're going to go further in this tournament," said the former cricketer. Further speaking, Ponting feels that the right-handed batsman should bat at number three and explained the reason, saying that the players coming to bat after him have enough power to strike the ball. "I would even think about batting him at No.3. I think the earlier he goes in, if he can get some time inside the Powerplay with the field up, I think that's going to help him because if he has just lost that little bit of power, then you need everything in your favour. So, having only two fielders out would help him. The guys that (are) batting after him have got plenty of power anyway. They can take advantage of those middle overs with the spinners on and the fielders out," he said. "They've got a big decision to make whether he stays in or whether they leave him out," Ponting concluded. The "Green Shirts", however, managed to secure a win by three wickets against the Netherlands. They will now lock horns with the United States of America (USA) on February 10 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka. 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 ANI Inputs)
09 February,2026 05:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs the T20 World Cup 2026 gets underway in India and Sri Lanka, US President Donald Trump has extended his best wishes to the national team by saying, "America is rooting for you!". "I just heard the Cricket World Cup is underway in India! I wish the best of luck to TEAM USA! We have a very strong team. America is rooting for you!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, the United States of America (USA) is placed in Group A of the tournament, along with teams such as India, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Namibia. The side is being led by Monank Patel. They lost their tournament-opening clash against Team India by 29 runs. During the match, the "Men in Blue" posted a total of 161 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav played a fiery knock of 84 runs off 49 deliveries, which was laced with 10 boundaries and four maximums. USA's Shadley van Schalkwyk bagged four wickets by conceding 25 runs in four overs. Harmeet Singh also returned with the figures of two wickets for 26 runs in four overs. Ali Khan and Mohammad Mohsin also claimed one wicket each. Later, while chasing a target of 162 runs, the USA's team managed to post 132 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Shubham Ranjane scored 37 runs each, but failed to help their team cruise to victory. Team India's Mohammed Siraj registered three wickets, followed by Arshdeep Singh (2), Axar Patel (2), and Varun Chakaravarthy (1). T20 World Cup 2026: USA's upcoming clash and full squad for the marquee event The USA will now lock horns with Pakistan in their upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 group stage match on February 10 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka. USA squad for T20 World Cup: Monank Patel (captain), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane. (With ANI Inputs)
09 February,2026 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid the uncertainty over the T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that the Indian board has left the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and will follow the decision that the global body takes. "We have left everything on the ICC. We will follow whatever decision the ICC takes," he said. Earlier, Pakistan had announced that its national team would not play the group stage match against India. The T20 World Cup 2026 match between arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, is scheduled to be played on February 15 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Pakistan's decision was reportedly taken in support of Bangladesh, as they had expressed unwillingness to travel to India for the marquee event. Earlier, former Team India captain Sourav Ganguly expressed surprise at Pakistan's decision, adding that every point is crucial in the global showpiece. "Backing out of a World Cup for what? They are playing in Sri Lanka, in any case. I am surprised Pakistan is backing out. In a World Cup, every point is important," he said. So far in the T20 World Cup 2026, India and Pakistan have played one match each. The "Men in Blue" are topping Group A with a net run rate (NRR) of +1.450 and two points, whereas Pakistan is placed second with a net run rate (NRR) of +0.240 and two points. The "Green Shirts" will lock horns against the United States of America (USA) on February 10 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka. On the other hand, the "Men in Blue" will take on Namibia on February 12 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Additionally, considering Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav's fiery knock in the previous match, it will be interesting to see if he continues to deliver performances for the team. T20 World Cup squad for India Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh. (With ANI Inputs)
09 February,2026 04:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhile English fans were few at the Wankhede on Sunday, Nepal enjoyed massive support. Chetan Kesi, part of a group of 20 Nepal fans, especially flew down from Kathmandu. “We’re here to support Nepal. Our players are working hard and in future we will be an important team in the World Cup. There are around 3000 to 4000 fans here,” Kesi told mid-day. Meanwhile, English couple Garry and Clare Pheasey from Manchester are enjoying the cricket as well as looking forward to celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary on February 10 here. “I remember, immediately after our wedding in 2021, we went to Sri Lanka to watch England play cricket and now we’re here to see England again,” said Clare.
09 February,2026 10:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureNepal almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets against England at this T20 World Cup at Wankhede on Sunday before the two-time champions managed to eke out a close four-run win. The Rohit Paudel-led Nepal side put up a strong fight, chasing 184-7. With 46 needed off the last 18 balls, No. 6 batter Lokesh Bam (39 not out off 20 balls) smashed pacer Jofra Archer (1-42) for two consecutive sixes in a 22-run over. With 24 required off the last 12 balls, left-arm pacer Luck Wood (1-31) conceded 14 runs off the 19th over, leaving Nepal needing 10 off the last six balls. Left-arm pacer Sam Curran (1-27), however, used all his experience, bowling some perfect yorkers to concede just five runs. Will Jacks All-rounder Will Jacks, who scored 39 not out off 18 balls and claimed 1-17 with his off-spin, admitted the win was a huge relief. “Relief and happiness. We came into this game to win, and we did. Job done. But it’s also part of preparation for what’s to come because we know we’ll be in similar situations again,” Jacks said at the post-match press conference. When asked to assess the contest, Jacks said, “Full credit to Nepal. They were outstanding in the field and their running between the wickets was excellent — they just kept coming.” There was a 17,000-strong crowd at the Wankhede and majority were cheering for Nepal. Nepal pacer Nandan Yadav, who claimed 2-25, said, “Matches like this are good for us and for the crowd as well. It shows that our standard is going up.” Dipendra Singh Airee (44 off 29 balls), captain Rohit Paudel (39) were Nepal’s other key contributors. Earlier, England posted 184-7, thanks to half-tons by Jacob Bethell (55) and skipper Harry Brook (53).
09 February,2026 10:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureOne of the easiest, and laziest, explanations for Saturday’s escape to victory is complacency and arrogance. It’s tempting to attribute India’s spectacular collapse to a feeling of superiority against an honest but not-too-threatening United States attack, but that can’t be farther from the truth. As Axar Patel, the vice-captain, acknowledged more than once after the 29-run victory in their World Cup opener, this wasn’t the usual Wankhede Stadium strip, benign but true and of even bounce. Right from the first over from Saurabh Netravalkar, it was apparent that there was reasonable juice in the form of considerable lateral movement, but that wasn’t the only threat to batters. The ball often sat in the pitch, making hitting through the line fraught with danger. There was grip and turn for the spinners. For batters accustomed to shirtfronts, these were different but not insurmountable challenges. India didn’t try to brazen or muscle their way out of trouble. They scaled down their expectations of the par score very early in the piece, and largely played the ball on its merit in the Powerplay, until Shadley van Schalkwyk picked up three wickets in five deliveries in the sixth over with different kinds of balls. These things can happen when one hasn’t encountered such tracks too often. India were quick to understand what was happening but too slow to adapt. Fortunately for them, Suryakumar Yadav was around, using his legendary calm and poise to resuscitate a gasping, floundering innings from 77-6. Having bossed over South Africa and New Zealand in the last two months, this was a wake-up call of sorts. India will be thankful, having bagged the two points, that it came this early on in the tournament; it should facilitate being quicker on their mental feet so that there is no encore, which will be punished by a more established and experienced outfit. Boss Gambhir hails Surya’s masterclass India head coach Gautam Gambhir hailed Suryakumar Yadav’s match-winning knock of an unbeaten 84 against the USA as a “masterclass”, calling it one of the finest T20I innings played under pressure. SixNo of wickets India lost for just 77 runs — their third-lowest score at the fall of the sixth wicket in T20 World Cups, after an identical 42-6 against Australia in 2010 and New Zealand in 2016
09 February,2026 10:05 AM IST | Mumbai | R KaushikSport and celebration came together as Bombay Gymkhana (BG) felicitated legendary sportspersons, who were or are members at the club’s family day on Friday. There were 65 sportspersons honoured, with some, who could not collect their award in person, having representatives collect it on their behalf. Some of those honoured were Indian cricket opener Sunil Gavaskar, Nari Contractor, former India hockey captain MM Somaya and snooker champ Yasin Merchant. Posthumous honours were also conferred on former Test cricketers Dilip Sardesai and Ajit Wadekar among others. Media baron, writer Khalid Ansari who has reported on nine Olympic Games, was also part of the recipient list. “This is one of my most cherished moments as this is the club. Recognising those, who are not with us anymore, is truly a sign of what Bombay Gymkhana stands for — always classy,” said Gavaskar. The sportspersons received plaques.
09 February,2026 09:59 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentOpener Tim Seifert struck a blistering 65 off 42 balls to lead New Zealand’s highest-ever run chase in a T20 World Cup as they beat Afghanistan by five wickets on Sunday. After Afghanistan made 182-6, NZ were driven by Seifert’s 42-ball knock and 42 by Glenn Phillips to achieve their target with 13 balls to spare in Chennai. NZ’s previous best chase in the T20 World Cup was their 167 against England in the 2021 semi-final. 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
09 February,2026 09:56 AM IST | Chennai | AgenciesThe Mumbai vs Karnataka Ranji Trophy quarter-final is evenly poised after three days at the MCA-BKC ground on Sunday. Mumbai, fighting tooth and nail, clawed back into the game through a brilliant 89-run partnership for the ninth wicket between No. 9 Tanush Kotian (48 not out, 73b, 5x4, 1x6) and No. 10 Tushar Deshpande (47, 40b, 7x4, 2x6). The partnership came off just 82. Karnataka had Mumbai at 287-8 with the hosts leading by 234, but Deshpande counter-attacked and found solid support from Kotian, who was at the firing end of some short-pitched missiles. Now, Karnataka, facing a target of 325, are 113-2, having lost opener Mayank Agarwal (3) and captain Devdutt Padikkal (39), but still have the well-settled KL Rahul (60 batting) and Karun Nair (9 batting) for company. When play resumes on Monday, Karnataka need another 212 to win and Mumbai, eight wickets. With the pitch already beginning to assist spinners given how off-spinner Tanush Kotian claimed the prized scalp of Padikkal, courtesy a brilliant left-handed catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal at slips, Karnataka won’t have it easy. “We know we are one wicket away from causing a collapse. That’s how the surface behaves at BKC. Given the turn Tanush is getting, we’d like to think we are on top now,” said Mumbai’s second innings top-scorer and wicketkeeper Akash Anand (70). Brief scoresMumbai 120 & 377 (A Anand 70; S Shetty 3-45) vs Karnataka 173 & 113-2 (KL Rahul 60*, D Padikkal 39)
09 February,2026 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | G KrishnanIn Italy, famous for its four FIFA World Cup titles — second only to Brazil’s five — cricket has been struggling to find a foothold for quite some time now. The debutants at the 2026 T20 World Cup hope to do enough during the month-long tournament to make the leap and have more people, particularly those from their country, take notice. “With all the buzz around it and the [huge] television coverage, we have an opportunity to make an impact,” skipper Wayne Madsen, on Sunday, the eve of their opener against Scotland at the Eden Gardens here. Madsen, 42, who has played hockey for South Africa before seeking cricket pastures in the United Kingdom, and coach John Davison, a former skipper of Canada, spoke of the journey ahead, Simone Gambino was around to reveal how far they had come. “There was a time when most in Italy thought the batsman and the bowler were on the same side while the fielders were the opponents; the 1992 World Cup saw coloured jerseys being introduced and it made explaining a lot easier,” quipped Gambino, now the Honourary Life President of the Italian board. “The ICC has pumped in money trying to spread the game, but it’s about establishing the [cricket] culture, and that has to be done by the country,” added Gambino, who has been making trips to major cricket-playing countries for a few decades to explain the game better to his countrymen. For a country, where Kabir Bedi is the most well-known Indian, and “hardly anyone has heard of Sachin Tendulkar”, the Italians are hoping this tournament will change all that.
08 February,2026 08:53 PM IST | Kolkata | Arup ChatterjeeSuryakumar Yadav’s first World Cup outing as India’s captain was rapidly turning pear-shaped when the skipper decided to take things into his own hands on Saturday night. An extraordinary top-order collapse, resulting from disciplined bowling from United States, a tacky surface and injudicious shot-selection, had the hosts reeling at 77 for six on being put in. A packed gathering at the Wankhede Stadium went completely silent, fearing the worst. Suryakumar (84 not out off 49 balls) has grown up playing most of his cricket at this venue. Drawing on familiarity, showing great restraint and unwilling to get sucked into a battle of egos, he bided his time. Mohammed Siraj (centre) celebrates after taking the wicket of USA opener Andries Gous Shadley van Schalkwyk had done the bulk of the damage with three wickets in his first over, the last of the Powerplay, after Abhishek Sharma had fallen for a golden duck, and as the middle order caved in meekly, the 35-year-old realised that he had no option but to play through the innings. Crucial 41-run stand In an essay of two distinct halves, Suryakumar was content to rotate the strike for the first part, steadying the ship with Axar Patel during a seventh-wicket stand of 41. Put down by Shubham Ranjane on his follow-through when only 15, Suryakumar was 47 off 35 at Axar’s fall. Then came a series of audacious shots, several of which involved walking across his stumps, fetching the ball from well outside off and scooping it over or behind square on the on-side while finding himself on his backside at the completion of the stroke. Having reached his half-century off 36 balls, Suryakumar delivered a brutal final kick as the last five overs produced 67. As many as 21 of those came in the final over from Saurabh Netravalkar and Suryakumar walked off to a standing ovation, having hauled his side to 161-9. US lose quick wickets United States’s cause wasn’t helped by several dropped catches early on, and an untimely groin injury to Ali Khan, their death-overs specialist, who couldn’t bowl his last two overs. They needed to bat out of their skins even though India were without the unwell Jasprit Bumrah, but lost three wickets in the first four overs and were never in contention. Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi flourished briefly and Ranjane lashed out towards the end but US could only manage 132 for eight, leaving India victors by 29 runs. Not convincing, but points on the board and an early wake-up call. 1074No. of runs scored by Suryakumar Yadav as T20I skipper; the fourth Indian captain after MS Dhoni (1112), Virat Kohli (1570), and Rohit Sharma (1905) to go past the 1000-run mark 84*No. of runs scored by Suryakumar on Saturday — the second-highest score in debut innings as T20 World Cup captain after WI’s Chris Gayle’s 88 vs Australia in 2009 ThreeNo of golden ducks for Abhishek Sharma in his last five T20Is 0-65Pacer Saurabh Netravalkar’s figures against India — the most expensive ever in a T20 World Cup, surpassing SL’s Sanath Jayasuriya’s 0-64 against Pakistan in 2007. It is also the worst figures by a USA bowler in T20Is
08 February,2026 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | R KaushikADVERTISEMENT
