Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha reacts in the field during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo)

Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup has led to financial penalties for the players, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) deciding to impose fines after the team failed to reach the semifinals.Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan were knocked out at the Super 8 stage of the tournament. They could not restrict Sri Lanka below 147 in a chase of 213, which meant they were unable to move ahead of New Zealand on net run rate and missed out on a semifinal spot. It was the fourth straight ICC tournament in which Pakistan did not reach the last four.Instead of announcing structural or administrative changes, the PCB has fined each player PKR 50 lakhs. According to a report in the Pakistan-based news outlet Express Tribune, the decision followed Pakistan’s exit from the tournament, though the move to impose fines was taken after their loss to India in the group stage match on February 15.The report, quoting sources, said the board has adopted a strict stance on financial incentives and that future monetary benefits will depend on performance. The team played the entire tournament in Sri Lanka, where conditions were considered suitable for them.“Officials have clearly told the players that enough pampering has been done — from now on, financial benefits will only come with performance,” th report says.There has been no official statement from the PCB on the matter.Pakistan reached the Super 8 stage after beating Namibia in the group phase. Their first Super 8 match against New Zealand was washed out. A defeat to England then left their semifinal hopes dependent on other results. England’s win over New Zealand kept Pakistan in contention, but their narrow victory against Sri Lanka did not improve their net run rate enough. New Zealand progressed to the semifinals, ending Pakistan’s campaign.Former captain Babar Azam, current skipper Salman Ali Agha, and senior players Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz have faced criticism. Agha is expected to step down as captain after returning home.

China on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran, warning that the escalating conflict could spread across the neighbouring countries after Iran’s retaliation against US bases in the Gulf region.“The most urgent task is an immediate cessation of military operations and preventing a spread and spillover of conflict,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a news conference, urging “a resolution through dialogue and negotiation.”

Beijing confirmed that one Chinese national was killed in Tehran during the US strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mao said the foreign ministry, along with the Chinese embassy in Iran, was providing necessary assistance to the individual’s family, without revealing personal details.Ramping up its evacuation efforts, China has advised its citizens in Iran to leave “as soon as possible,” listing four land routes — to Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, and Iraq.More than 3,000 Chinese nationals have already left Iran, while Chinese citizens in Israel were urged to move to safer areas or cross into Egypt via the Taba border.China condemned the US-led military strikes as violations of international law, stating they were “not authorised by the United Nations Security Council.” Beijing also called for an emergency session of the Security Council, asserting that the “sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all Gulf countries should also be fully respected.”China’s foreign minister Wang Yi, in a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Sunday, also pressed for calm amid the worsening crisis.The “blatant killing of a sovereign leader and the incitement of regime change were unacceptable,” Wang said, calling for an “immediate ceasefire and resumption of talks to avoid a wider regional conflict.”China’s state-run Xinhua news agency went further in its commentary, calling the attack “brazen aggression against a sovereign nation” and “power politics and hegemony.” It said Washington’s actions were a “flagrant violation of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and a departure from fundamental norms of international relations.”In its Monday statement, Beijing reiterated its “deep concern over the spillover effects of the conflict affecting neighbouring countries.”The foreign ministry also warned Chinese nationals against travelling to the region as reports emerged of injuries and stranded citizens.The ongoing conflict has triggered widespread flight disruptions across the Middle East.Despite rising tensions, Mao confirmed that communication between Beijing and Washington remains active ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China from March 31 to April 2, saying both sides were “maintaining communication regarding the interactions between the leaders of the two countries.”

“90cr given via DBT to 30,000 girls in first phase of ladli scheme”: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Monday launched key women-centric initiatives at the Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi programme, including the free LPG cylinder scheme for ration card holders and the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana. Highlighting education, mobility, and domestic empowerment, she announced that funds for 30,000 girls under the Ladli-Ladli scheme have been disbursed via DBT.At the event held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the President also launched a scheme providing two free LPG cylinders annually to ration card-holding families on Holi and Diwali.Addressing the Delhi CM said, “This is an attempt to touch three aspects of life: education, mobility, and domestic empowerment. I congratulate the daughters of Delhi…When the government investigated, we found that money meant for the Ladli-Ladli scheme for 1.75 lakh girls was lying in government accounts. So, in the first phase, we found 30,000 girls, and Rs 90 crore was given through DBT…”According to officials, the four schemes are ‘Saheli Pink Smart Card,’ free LPG cylinder scheme, Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, and ‘Meri Punji Mera Adhikaar.’Under the initiative, the Saheli Pink Smart Card will be introduced within the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework, providing free bus travel to eligible women and transgender residents. The card will also allow paid travel on the Metro and the Regional Rapid Transit System through a single touch-free smart card. Cards will be issued at about 50 DM/SDM offices and selected DTC centers, with eligibility verified via Aadhaar and linked to the beneficiary’s mobile number.The chief minister stated that this initiative will prove to be a milestone in making public transport more accessible, safe, and digital.In two free LPG Cylinders during festivals, this scheme will be provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). An amount equivalent to the current price of one cylinder will be deposited into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the head of the family. Approximately 15.50 lakh ration card-holding families will benefit from this scheme.The third initiative, ‘Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana’, focuses on the financial empowerment of daughters. Under this scheme, Rs 56,000 will be deposited in the name of a girl child in installments, which, with interest, is expected to exceed Rs1 lakh by the age of 21.The maturity benefit will be transferred directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account upon meeting educational criteria. Eligibility includes an annual family income of up to Rs 1.20 lakh, Delhi residence for the last three years, and the girl child being born in Delhi. Benefits are limited to two living girl children per family and extend to those pursuing graduate or professional diplomas from recognised institutions.The fourth measure involves the disbursement of pending dues under ‘Meri Punji Mera Adhikaar,’ ensuring citizens’ financial rights are addressed in a timely and transparent manner.

CBSE board exams 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations scheduled for March 2, 2026, in several Middle East countries. The decision was announced through an official circular released today, March 1, 2026.The exams have been deferred due to the current situation in parts of the Middle East. The affected countries include Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The circular was addressed to principals of schools affiliated to CBSE in these regions.According to the official notice, the examinations that were scheduled to be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, for both Class X and Class XII will not take place on that date. The board has clarified that the new dates for these examinations will be announced later.Read the official notice available here.

Review on March 3; decision on later exams pending

CBSE has also stated that it will review the situation on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Based on the assessment, the board will take an appropriate decision regarding the examinations that are scheduled from March 5, 2026, onwards.This means that students who have exams after March 5 should wait for further instructions from the board. No changes have been announced yet for those papers, but the situation will be examined before any final decision is taken.

Students advised to stay in touch with schools

Students have been advised to remain in regular contact with their respective schools for further updates. Schools will share fresh information and instructions once they receive further communication from the board. Students and parents have also been asked to carefully follow official announcements and avoid relying on unverified information.The circular has been issued by CBSE. Students appearing for the board examinations in the affected countries are advised to stay calm and wait for the revised schedule, which will be notified officially in due course.

MS Dhoni (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

NEW DELHI: The whistles were back in Chennai — and so was the laughter. Preparations for IPL 2026 officially began as former India and Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni joined current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and the rest of the squad for their first practice session at the franchise’s high-performance centre on Sunday.The five-time champions kicked off their camp with several Indian players reporting for duty, while overseas recruits and foreign coaching staff are yet to assemble. For now, assistant coaches Sridharan Sriram and Rajiv Kumar are overseeing the sessions along with strength and conditioning coach Greg King.

But it didn’t take long for the spotlight — and the smiles — to centre around Dhoni.Facing a left-arm spinner during the nets, Dhoni was at his mischievous best. The bowler bowled a wide ball, and instead of simply letting it go, Dhoni paused, theatrically gestured for a wide and broke into a playful, dance-like signal. Teammates, support staff and everyone around the ground burst into laughter as the 44-year-old reminded everyone that even pre-season nets can double up as entertainment when he’s around.Among those present at the session were Ayush Mhatre, Mukesh Choudhary, Rahul Chahar, Urvil Patel, Ramakrishna Ghosh and Sarfaraz Khan. The franchise later shared visuals from the training, with Dhoni and Gaikwad batting in adjacent nets — a symbolic passing-of-the-baton image that sent fans into a frenzy online.While Dhoni entertained, Gaikwad looked sharp and fluent, showcasing assured footwork and clean timing. Sarfaraz, meanwhile, was seen keenly observing Dhoni’s net session — perhaps picking up a trick or two from the master finisher.New signings Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma also joined the squad and took part in the drills as preparations gathered pace.This phase of the camp largely features Indian domestic players. The internationals currently on national duty will join later. Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, who are part of India’s T20 World Cup campaign, are expected to link up with the squad after the tournament concludes on March 7. Shreyas Gopal, fresh from Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy final run, will also report at a later date.Earlier, the franchise unveiled their jersey for the upcoming season, officially setting the tone for another blockbuster IPL campaign.Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Short, Sanju Samson, MS Dhoni, Urvil Patel, Kartik, Shivam Dube, Zak Foulkes, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Shreyas Gopal, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Aman Khan, Veer, Noor Ahmad, Rahul Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Nathan Ellis, Matt Henry, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj, and Mukesh Choudhary.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule for Afghanistan’s highly anticipated tour of India, set to take place in June 2026. This bilateral encounter, occurring just after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, will see the Men in Blue take on the rising Blue Tigers in a multi-format series. The tour is highlighted by a historic one-off Test match and a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series, marking a significant chapter in the growing cricketing rivalry between the two nations.

The tour kicks off with the longest format of the game before transitioning into the white-ball leg. Following the conclusion of the IPL, Indian fans will see a mix of seasoned veterans and young talent return to national colours. Notably, this series serves as a crucial preparation window for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with batting stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli expected to lead the charge in the 50-over format.

IPL venue to make historic Test debut

In a landmark move for Indian cricket infrastructure, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) is set to host its first-ever Test match. The red-ball fixture will take place from June 6 to June 10, signaling the venue’s evolution from a preferred IPL destination to a sanctioned Test center.

Cricket enthusiasts in the region have long awaited this moment. While the stadium has previously hosted high-octane T20 encounters, the five-day format will test the character of the surface and the endurance of the players under the summer sun. For Afghanistan, this is only their second Test match against India. Their debut in the format back in 2018 at Bengaluru was a tough introduction, where India secured a dominant victory by an innings and 262 runs. The Mullanpur Test offers the visitors a fresh opportunity to showcase their technical growth in the longest version of the game.

Also READ: Sanju Samson reflects on his batting performance that powered India into the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals

Schedule for India’s home series against Afghanistan

Following the Test match, the focus will shift to a three-match ODI series starting June 14. This leg of the tour is particularly historic as it marks the first-ever bilateral ODI series between India and Afghanistan; their previous encounters in the 50-over format have been limited to multi-team tournaments like the Asia Cup and the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The series will travel across the length of the country, beginning in the scenic Dharamsala on June 14. The action then moves to the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on June 17, before concluding at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on June 20. Historically, India hold the upper hand with three wins in four ODI meetings, though the memorable tie during the 2018 Asia Cup serves as a reminder of Afghanistan’s ability to punch above their weight.

Also READ: Gautam Gambhir makes bold statement after India beat West Indies to reach T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals

Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility was struck during recent US and Israeli military operations, Iran’s envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog said on Monday. “Again they attacked Iran’s peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday,” Reza Najafi told reporters at a meeting of the 35-nation board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Asked which sites were hit, he replied: “Natanz,” reported Reuters.

The development comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme. In June, the United States carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities that Washington says were part of a programme aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Tehran maintains its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes.Meanwhile, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would rebuild its nuclear infrastructure. “Destroying buildings and factories will not create a problem for us, we will rebuild and with greater strength,” he told state media during a visit to Iran’s atomic energy organization, adding that the country does not seek nuclear weapons.“It’s all intended for solving the problems of the people, for disease, for the health of the people,” Pezeshkian said, referring to Iran’s nuclear activities.US president Donald Trump has warned that he would order fresh attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites if Tehran attempts to restart facilities bombed in June.IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed concern over the situation, warning that the “possibility of radiological release cannot be ruled out”, according to ANI.Speaking at the IAEA board of governors meeting, Grossi said: “Let me underline that the situation today is very concerning. We cannot rule out a possible radiological release with serious consequences, including the necessity to evacuate areas as large or larger than major cities.”He added that the agency has “extensive knowledge of the nature and location of nuclear and radiological material in the region” and is ready to provide assistance in case of an attack or accident causing a radiological release. Grossi also noted that several countries in West Asia operate nuclear power plants or research reactors, increasing the risks amid military escalation, and urged “utmost restraint in all military operations.”

The Middle East is on a boil and concerns are raising on what it might mean for India. New Delhi imports nearly 88% of its crude oil needs, so any disruption in global supplies can quickly push up its oil bill and fuel inflation. Fresh security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz have already driven global crude prices sharply higher.Brent crude jumped more than 10% to $80 per barrel, while US-traded oil rose about 9% to $73. The spike indicates increasing market nervousness over possible supply disruptions through one of the world’s busiest oil routes.

What does Middle East conflict mean for India’s oil markets?

The development carries particular significance for India, which majorly relies on imports to fulfil its crude oil requirement. Furthermore, any sustained rise in global prices is likely to inflate the country’s import bill and add to fuel-driven inflationary pressures.As the conflict continues to escalate, the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could see major disruptions, two vital sea lanes connecting India with the Gulf as well as major markets in North America and Europe.Price hikesCrude oil plays a vital role in everyday consumer products such as detergents, biscuits, toothpaste, paints and packaging. Petroleum derivatives are widely used in items like soaps, shampoos, creams, hair oils, bottles and tubes. These inputs make up more than 25% of production costs for FMCG companies and about 40% for paint manufacturers. Hence, in case crude prices continue to soar, these daily use products may get further costlier. “Also, demand will be impacted in states like Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Telangana which have high Gulf remittances,” Abhijit Roy, Berger Paints chief executive officer told ET.Arup Chauhan, promoter of Parle Products, India’s largest biscuit maker told ET that “the escalation (in Brent crude prices) would have a cascading effect overall.”“Let’s hope for things to settle down within the next 72 hours or so.”Widen deficitAjay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, told ANI that around 20-22 million barrels per day, which is roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption, passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Even short-lived disruptions at this chokepoint tend to push up insurance premiums, freight charges and crude benchmarks. Markets are already seeing steep increases in war-risk insurance, tanker rerouting and naval escort activity, along with higher embedded logistics costs, he noted.Bagga outlined a range of possible price outcomes. Under limited escalation, Brent could move to $100-115 per barrel. If maritime disruptions occur, prices may rise to $120-140, while a sustained closure risk could drive crude to $150 or beyond.Every $10 increase in crude widens India’s current account deficit by roughly 0.4-0.5% of GDP and lifts CPI inflation by 30-40 basis points. “This is not simply a geopolitical story. It is a macroeconomic story,” he said.He added that sectors such as aviation, chemicals, automobiles, paints and oil marketing companies could face pressure if higher crude costs are not fully passed on. Potential relative gainers include upstream oil firms, defence, IT because of the US dollar hedge, and gold-linked plays. “Geopolitical risk is no longer episodic. It is structural. 2026 marks the return of hard geopolitics,” Bagga said, urging investors to stress-test portfolios for $120 oil, diversify geographically, own real assets and hedge currencies.Diversifying oil basketGTRI indicated that in the event of a Hormuz closure, refiners could reroute supplies via pipelines to Red Sea ports. India may also step up sourcing from Russia, the United States, West Africa and Latin America, and draw on its strategic petroleum reserves to manage near-term shocks.However, risks remain uneven across fuels. Sumit Ritolia, lead research analyst, Refining and Modelling at Kpler, said that while India may be able to cope with higher crude prices and temporary supply disruptions, LPG supplies appear more vulnerable. “Escalating Middle East tensions once again highlight a structural reality: India remains materially exposed to the Strait of Hormuz – not just for crude, but even more so for LPG and LNG,” says Sumit Ritolia.Meanwhile, energy policy expert Narendra Taneja said that oil markets may see only a brief phase of volatility following the recent escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict. He expected the situation to stabilise within 7 to 10 days, that the United States and Israel may move towards diplomatic engagement after achieving their immediate objectives.Speaking to ANI, Taneja said, “I’m worried about the way things are going, but my own sense is that probably within the next 7-10 days, things will begin to stabilise. Probably the United States and Israel are going to say, all right, we have achieved what we have set out to achieve, and they will call for peace or negotiations and so on.”

Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: A blistering 97* from Sanju Samson powered India to a thrilling five-wicket win over West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, sealing their place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals. Under pressure and with his spot in the XI questioned after a lean run, Samson delivered when it mattered most in the Super Eight clash.Chasing under tricky conditions with dew setting in, India stayed on course thanks to a composed yet attacking effort from the wicketkeeper-batter. Samson’s unbeaten 97 off 50 balls is now the highest score in a successful run chase for India in T20 World Cups, surpassing Virat Kohli’s previous record. He struck the winning runs and, as he walked back, skipper Suryakumar Yadav removed his cap and bowed to him in a heartwarming gesture.

In a video released by the BCCI, Suryakumar was effusive in his praise for Samson, even prompting a hilarious response from the match-winner.“Rulayega kya pagle? (Do you want to see me tear up?),” Samson quipped as his captain continued to shower him with compliments.Suryakumar reiterated the belief he has long held about Samson and revealed what the batter had told the team when he rejoined the side.“I always say good things happen to good people and at the right time. No better time, no better stage for someone like him to step up and give the team what the team required. The moment he came into the side, I think the first thing that he said amongst the group when we sat together was, let’s do something which the team wants, not what you want,” said Suryakumar.The skipper chose not to dwell too much on Samson’s difficult phase — being in and out of the side and batting out of position — but acknowledged the mental strength behind the knock.“In life, we’ve seen so many things, so many ups and downs. I don’t want to take you back to what happened in the whole year, losing his position, batting out of position, and then coming back batting at the same position.”He emphasised that such performances define ICC tournaments and lauded the courage shown by Samson on the big stage.“It’s not easy to win the World Cup. The World Cups, the ICC tournaments, the games which you play in ICC tournaments are won by courageous people, and this was a courageous knock. He can already get carried away by a good start, but then the way he was batting, he held one side together, took the team through. And he deserves all the credit. I’m very happy for him, his wife, his family back home, and all the people who love him, support him. We’re just one more step closer. Hopefully, this may continue. I have a lot of things to say, but then, I’m very happy. He deserves everything,” said Suryakumar.India now move a step closer to the title, riding on a knock that could well go down as one of their finest in T20 World Cup history.India will now face England in the semifinal of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.