Sri Lanka wobble, then overcome Ireland in opening WC game
Co-hosts Sri Lanka have won their opening match at the T20 World Cup with a 20-run win over Ireland in Colombo.
Cricket
9th February 2026
Nepal come close to Everest of a shock against England
England have managed to narrowly escape a sensational T20 World Cup boilover at the hands of Nepal in Mumbai.
Underdog’s heartbreak as Poms survive mighty scare in final ball thriller - T20 WC Wrap
England clung on to beat Nepal by four runs in a nerve-jangling last-ball thriller in Mumbai on Sunday and avoid one of the biggest upsets in the history of the T20 World Cup.
Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, spinners script Sri Lanka's win
Ireland dropped seven catches that proved to be a major factor in their 20-run loss.
Ireland let Sri Lanka off the hook at World Cup
Ireland cannot overcome a host of errors in the field as they fall 20 runs short of co-hosts Sri Lanka in their World Cup opener.
An almighty scare - but are England learning?
Why some subtle signs suggest, despite their scare against Nepal in the T20 World Cup, England might be learning under Harry Brook and Brendon McCullum.
‘It would have been a horrible one to lose’: Curran relieved after England’s Nepal scare
England flirted with one of the great T20 World Cup upsets in Mumbai before getting their campaign under way with victory against Nepal by four runs and, although they did not lose the game, Sam Curran insisted they had lost any sense of complacency.
Sussex chairman quits in wake of points deductions
Sussex chairman Jon Filby resigns in the wake of the county's financial difficulties, which have left them facing points deductions for next season.
'Unbelievable' Sam Curran closes out win as death-bowling proves difference
Harry Brook and Rohi Paudel highlight Curran's skill as England deny Nepal in Mumbai.
Raza: 'Associate nations have caught up with the T20 format'
The Zimbabwe captain thinks they are on the right track for a transition post next year but need to find a bit more consistency.
England survive Nepal scare to clinch last-ball thriller
Curran final over allows England to breathe a huge sigh of relief after Bam fireworks.
BCB president, PCB, ICC in Lahore for talks over India match boycott
Aminul Islam's presence in Lahore is part of the PCB's continuing show of solidarity after Bangladesh's removal from the T20 World Cup.
England hold off Nepal charge in final over to avoid T20 World Cup shock
On a raucous early evening in front of a hugely one-sided crowd, Nepal so nearly provided the upset this World Cup needed and England were so desperate to avoid, as they seek to buff a tarnished winter into some kind of shine.
World Cup debutants Italy look to make more history in Kolkata
They are up against a Scotland side who showed promise in their opening game, but ultimately fell short.
T20 World Cup fatigue hits Australia amid concern over injuries and form
As Australia head into the fourth men’s tournament in less than four-and-a-half years there are questions about how much it means to players and fans. Alarm bells are ringing for Australia heading into the T20 World Cup.
England deny Nepal in final-ball World Cup thriller
England fight from the brink to avoid a major shock and beat an inspired Nepal by four runs in their opening match of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai.
Trott pleased with Naib at No. 3, defends non-selection of Noor
Afghanistan's head coach felt it was the execution of the fast bowlers, and not selection, that cost the team against New Zealand.
Ireland opt for an extra batter as they ask Sri Lanka to bat
There was no room for Josh Little while Sri Lanka opted for five batters and five bowlers.
Oman's Jatinder Singh counts on warm-up game 'psychological edge' against Zimbabwe
Oman had beaten Zimbabwe in the warm-up game at Colombo Cricket Club last week.
8th February 2026
Canada look for early splash against favourites South Africa
South Africa, still carrying the scars of their near-miss in 2024, begin another T20 World Cup as heavy favourites in familiar Ahmedabad conditions.
Uttarakhand qualify for maiden semi-final; Rahul holds key for Karnataka
Jharkhand suffered a spectacular collapse, losing 8 for 30, while Gharami scored a maiden double-ton against Andhra.
Zimbabwe look to hit the ground running vs Oman
Oman are playing their second successive T20 World Cup while Zimbabwe are here after missing qualification in 2024.
Pakistan officials meet ICC over India boycott
Officials from the ICC and the PCB will meet in Lahore on Sunday for talks over Pakistan's planned boycott of their T20 World Cup match against India.
Sweet Cup of T20 revenge as Kiwis cane Afghanistan
Opener Tim Seifert's 65 off 42 has guided New Zealand to a win over Afghanistan in a crucial Group D game in Chennai.
'Not 100% sure what to expect' - South Africa come up against Canada's unknowns
South Africa have a soft landing to the T20 World Cup with a match against Canada but Aiden Markram expects challenges.
Ellis conquers 'internal battle' to graduate to senior Aussie role
Nathan Ellis is the most experienced quick in Australia's T20 World Cup contingent, but the 31-year-old says he still feels like the baby of the team.
England bat; Nepal hand debut to Sher Malla
Brook won the toss and chose to bat first with conditions in mind, but Paudel said that Nepal's players "love slow tracks" and that they hoped the surface would suit them.
Seifert half-century helps NZ beat Afghanistan
New Zealand pull off their highest run chase in T20 World Cup history as they open their Group D campaign with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan.
Big Bash star’s blistering knock sparks record chase as Kiwis avoid repeat World Cup disaster
Opener Tim Seifert struck a blistering 65 off 42 balls to lead New Zealand’s highest-ever run in a T20 World Cup as they beat Afghanistan by five wickets on Sunday.
Doggett's season over as rain frustrates New South Wales
NSW coach Greg Shipperd question the playing conditions that would have seen his side docked points had the final day been washed out.
Seifert and Phillips conquer Afghanistan spin to script convincing New Zealand win
Gulbadin Naib's half-century and Mujeeb Ur Rahman's double-strike had given Afghanistan hope but they fell well short in the end.
Herculean Bell and Doran's stunner seal thriller for Tasmania
Western Australia's lower order, led by Jhye Richardson, showed impressive fight but they fell short to remain bottom of the table.
Rain frustrates NSW in draw with South Australia
The final day of NSW's Shield clash against SA at the SCG has turned into a fizzer after rain ensured neither side had the chance to push for victory.
Bell rings true for Tasmania in narrow win over WA
Man of the match Gabe Bell's six wickets on the final day has proved the difference in Tasmania 22-run win over Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
Afghanistan pack their XI with spinners, ask New Zealand to field
Mitchell Santner is the only frontline spinner in the New Zealand XI, with part-timer Rachin Ravindra the other spin option.
‘Very good player’: New star rises from Premier Cricket to nearly save Victoria — Shield wrap
A heroic fourth-innings effort from debutant Dylan Brasher has tightened Victoria’s selection squeeze at the back-end of the Sheffield Shield season.
'Are we the unluckiest team?': Bulls face injury crisis
The only team to beat the runaway Sheffield Shield leaders this season have a severely depleted squad.
Straker, Swepson trump Brasher in possible Shield final preview
Queensland go clear second on the Shield table thanks to a 36-run win but have huge injury concerns as they try and make a second successive final.
‘Not been easy’: England captain spills on ‘horrendous’ fallout from nightclub altercation
England white-ball captain Harry Brook has confessed the fallout from his nightclub altercation has been “horrendous”, hoping to put the ordeal behind him after the T20 World Cup.
Bulls close gap with Vic debutant's valiant holdout not enough
Victoria have the Bulls breathing down their necks on the Sheffield Shield standings after a tense 36-run defeat.
Aussie injury crisis deepens as young speedster set for months on the sidelines
Australia’s injury crisis has deepened after scans confirmed that fast bowler Mahli Beardman had sustained a lumbar bone stress fracture, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Reigning champs avoid World Cup disaster as skipper rescues India after huge scare
A sparkling unbeaten 84 from India captain Suryakumar Yadav and three wickets from late call-up Mohammed Siraj in Mumbai helped India avoid a shock defeat to the United States as they opened their defence of the T20 World Cup.
SKY, Shepherd star on opening day of World Cup
India captain's masterclass helps avoid USA scare, while Windies allrounder snares hat-trick against Scotland.
India survives massive scare from minnow US in T20 World Cup
India is briefly left reeling at 6-67 against an underdog United States team, but captain Suryakumar Yadav helps the hosts avoid a horror start at the T20 World Cup.
Washington Sundar to link up with Indian squad in Delhi
On Bumrah missing the USA game, Suryakumar said "he was having a high fever because of the weather".
Suryakumar's 84* helps India overcome USA scare
India recovered from 46 for 4 in the sixth over on a tricky surface and their bowlers did the rest.
Suryakumar’s brilliant blitz denies USA seismic shock in India’s T20 World Cup opener
There was, in the end, no shock – but there was not a lot of awe either.
Tucker hopes 'dry' Khettarama pitch brings Ireland into the game
"Our spinners have grown a lot recently. I think their performances have improved. They've become more experienced".
Suryakumar rescues India from all-time shock by USA
Suryakumar Yadav rescues India from an almighty scare as T20 World Cup co-hosts beat the United States by 29 runs in Mumbai.
England enter the unknown in maiden encounter with Nepal
Both teams begin campaign with confidence after extended winning runs, but England seek refuge from off-field rows.
Vulnerable Sri Lanka present Ireland opportunity for an upset
Sri Lanka are co-hosts and have a good spin attack, but arrive at the big stage short on form, and possibly confidence.
ICC asks PCB the reason for invoking Force Majeure to boycott India game
The ICC has also pointed out to the PCB the potential material damages the global governing body could claim in case the boycott went ahead.
Hetmyer heroics, Shepherd hat-trick headline West Indies' opening day win over Scotland
Hetmyer's half-century lifted West Indies on a slow surface while Shepherd closed out the win with a five-wicket haul.
'We should have potentially sent Pakistan home after today' - van Meekeren rues Netherlands' close loss
Netherlands bowler rues loss of key moments in the T20 World Cup opener with his side having been in positions of strength throughout the game.
USA bowl, India pick Siraj with Bumrah out unwell
Mohammed Siraj slots into the T20I side for the first time since July 2024 as Bumrah's replacement.
Scotland beaten by West Indies in T20 World Cup opener
Scotland begin their T20 World Cup campaign with a 35-run defeat by two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens.
Nabi takes seven; Gharami's unbeaten ton keeps Bengal afloat
Gharami brought up his seventh first-class hundred in the final session, with Bengal still 96 runs behind.
7th February 2026
Rashid: Playing international cricket in Afghanistan 'more than a dream'
"That's bigger than the World Cup, to be honest," says the Afghanistan captain.
Injury-hit New Zealand eye revenge as Afghanistan look to run it back
Afghanistan hammered New Zealand in the 2024 edition, and conditions make them favourites with a strong spin attack.
'Never counted my wickets' - Rashid on nearing 700 mark in T20 cricket
"I'm happy to reach that milestone and hopefully can make it to 7000," the legspinner joked.
Brook draws a line under Wellington after 'horrendous' month in spotlight
Incident with bouncer has taught him that captaincy carries a "hell of a lot more responsibility".
'I'd like to play on flat tracks' - Shanaka links SL's batting woes to spin-friendly pitches at home
At the T20 World Cup, though, the Sri Lanka captain hopes his batters can perform on what he thinks will be better tracks.
WA eyeing off huge chase to resurrect Shield season
WA have closed to within 148 runs of victory against Tasmania with six wickets in hand.
Scotland opt to field against West Indies
WI captain Shai Hope believes there's a part of them that has confidence that they can start their campaign well.
Webster's strike keeps Tasmania ahead after Bancroft gives WA hope
WA's opening pair added 116 as they faced the tall order of chasing 345 but Tasmania chipped out breakthroughs.
Pakistan survive Dutch scare in T20 World Cup opener
An unbeaten 29 off 11 balls from Faheem Ashraf has helped Pakistan to an unconvincing win over the Netherlands.
Pakistan avoid disastrous World Cup shock after 19th-over great escape against the Netherlands
Faheem Ashraf smashed an unbeaten 29 off 11 balls as Pakistan scrambled past the Netherlands by three wickets to avoid a massive shock in the curtain-raiser of the T20 World Cup in Colombo on Saturday.
Faheem Ashraf drags unconvincing Pakistan over the line after big scare
Pakistan had the game in the bag, then lost five wickets between the 12th and 19th overs, before Faheem Ashraf emerged as their saviour in the T20 World Cup opener.
Pakistan start T20 World Cup with jittery win
Faheem Ashraf hits an unbeaten 29 off 11 balls as Pakistan are given a major scare by the Netherlands in a thrilling opening game at the T20 World Cup.
Harry Brook says fallout from nightclub row has been ‘horrendous’
Harry Brook wants to draw a line under the past few weeks when revelations about his conduct in Wellington cast doubt on his leadership as he prepares to lead England at the T20 World Cup.
Mahli Beardman suffers recurrence of a stress fracture in his back
The 20-year-old reported soreness in the warm-up of the second T20I in Pakistan and scans have confirmed he faces a lengthy period on the sidelines.
Kurtis Patterson sends reminder with career-best Sheffield Shield statement after ‘low period’
Kurtis Patterson has celebrated his 100th Sheffield Shield appearance in style after bringing up a career-best first-class score of 173 not out for NSW against South Australia.
Patterson's milestone-game hundred builds commanding lead
The left hander forged a new career-best on the third day at the SCG to leave Tasmania a huge target.
Beardman latest quick to suffer season-ending injury
Mahli Beardman will have an extended stint on the sidelines after a back injury.
Brasher's defiant half-century keeps Victoria alive after Straker's strikes
The left hander finished 54 not out on debut, with Victoria 150 for 6 chasing 242 to win at the MCG.
Debutant Brasher holds key as Vics, Bulls set for classic finish
Victoria's top-of-the-table clash with Queensland at the MCG is on a knife's edge.
Classy Kurtis puts Blues in control with sensational hundred
NSW set South Australia an improbable 446 to win after Kurtis Patterson's 173no.
Time in spotlight has been horrendous - Brook
England captain Harry Brook says the controversy following his altercation with a nightclub bouncer has "not been a very nice time of my life".
Pakistan ask Netherlands to bat in T20 World Cup opener
"If there's any moisture we want to use that," Pakistan captain Salman Agha says of his decision to bowl first on a grassy SSC surface.
‘Brace for eight weeks’: Shock injury reveal as nasty Ashes hit leaves Marnus playing through pain
Not even a broken bone will keep Marnus Labuschagne off the cricket field.
150 runs in boundaries! Sachin among India greats STUNNED by 14yo’s ‘absurd’ WC final knock
Some of India’s greatest cricketers have been left gobsmacked by the latest feat of prodigious 14-year-old batting talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who produced the most audaciously unthinkable innings in a final to power India to a sixth Under 19 World Cup.
David embracing World Cup responsibility in return from injury
Australian power-hitter tees off in Colombo net session, provides update on recovery from hamstring injury.
Sooryavanshi smashes 30 boundaries in U19 World Cup final
Indian cricket's teen porodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi flayed his way to the highest score ever in a World Cup final as India claimed the U19 World Cup for a sixth time.
India's 14yo batting prodigy breaks records in World Cup final
The 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks Alyssa Healy's record with the highest score ever in a World Cup final to power India to the global under-19 crown.
Stuck without a team? Here's who to support at the T20 cricket World Cup
As another T20 World Cup sneaks up on us, here's everything you need to know about the tournament, including a guide on how to pick which team to support, depending on your needs.
'Flight is booked': India going to Colombo as boycott looms
The 2026 men's T20 World Cup could be the first major ICC event in 15 years not to feature an India-Pakistan match.
Madushan replaces injured Malinga in Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup squad
Madushan last played a T20I for Sri Lanka in 2023.
Sammy: 'Feels like 2016 when no one gave us a chance'
The head coach dreams for an era where West Indies succeed 'because of, not in spite of'.
Harshit Rana ruled out of T20 World Cup; Siraj called up as replacement
India allrounder injured his knee during the T20 World Cup warm-up match against south Africa on Wednesday.
Prior and Mushtaq call for Sussex board to resign
Several high-profile former Sussex players demand the club's board step down in the light of financial troubles.
Mighty India meet multicultural USA in polarised World Cup
This match is a homecoming for Mumbai boys Harmeet Singh and Saurabh Netravalkar.
Liam Livingstone signs T20-only contract with Lancashire
Loss of central contract means Livingstone is back on Lancashire's payroll and unlikely to play red-ball.
Salman Agha: 'I've learnt how to put captaincy away when I go to bat'
Pakistan's captain said he supported Babar, Fakhar but didn't guarantee spots for players.
England run risk by missing final T20 World Cup training to stay cool by the pool
Harry Brook’s team opt for confidence building at hotel before opener with practice a three-hour round trip away.
Sooryavanshi 175 makes India six-time Under-19 world champions
England were always behind the game and couldn't come close despite a blazing ton from Falconer.
'A World Cup few seem to want but one England need'
With much of the cricketing world apathetic towards this T20 World Cup, England captain Harry Brook and coach Brendon McCullum need it more than most.
In-form Pakistan take on undercooked Netherlands in T20 World Cup 2026 opener
The busiest team in T20Is in the last nine months faces a side that is short on preparation and versatility.
Max O'Dowd: Netherlands are 'as prepared as we have ever been'
Netherlands have caused an upset here and there in the past but O'Dowd is confident they are capable of inflicting more damage this time.
Livingstone staying with Lancs three more years
Liam Livingstone will play for Lancashire in the T20 Blast for the next three seasons.
Sussex chairman resigns after pressure from ex-players, following ECB intervention
Chris Adams, Matt Prior had been among former players to sign open letter demanding "reset of leadership".