Lorcan Tucker vs Oman (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Ireland delivered a dominant all-round performance to crush Oman by 96 runs in their Group B match, powered by a stunning innings from captain Lorcan Tucker and a disciplined bowling display.Sent in to bat, Ireland had a shaky start, losing early wickets and slipping to 47 for 3 as Oman’s spinners applied pressure.

Shakeel Ahmed struck early, removing Tim Tector, Ross Adair and Harry Tector, while veteran Aamir Kaleem added to Ireland’s troubles by dismissing Curtis Campher. Oman looked in control at that stage, but the momentum completely changed once Tucker settled in.Tucker played a sensational knock, smashing 94 off just 51 balls with 10 fours and four sixes. He built a crucial 101-run partnership with Gareth Delany, who scored a quick 56, to steady the innings. Later, Tucker and George Dockrell launched a brutal late assault, adding 70 runs in just 19 balls. Dockrell’s explosive 35 off nine balls included five sixes, and Ireland went on a run spree in the final overs, scoring 86 runs in the last four overs. Their innings ended at a massive 235 for five, the highest team total of the tournament so far.In reply, Oman showed some fight through Aamir Kaleem (50) and Hammad Mirza (46), but once both were dismissed, the chase collapsed. Eight Oman batters failed to reach double figures, and the team was bowled out for 139 in 18 overs. Josh Little led the bowling with figures of 3 for 16, supported by Matthew Humphreys, Barry McCarthy and George Dockrell.Despite the big win, Ireland remained fourth in the group standings, while Oman suffered their third straight loss.

Mohammad Amir makes controversial remark about Abhishek Sharma (Agency Photos)

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has stirred controversy ahead of the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 clash by criticising Indian batter Abhishek Sharma, who is currently recovering from illness. With the big match set for February 15 in Colombo, the comments have added extra spice to the rivalry.

Amir questioned Abhishek’s batting ability and called him a one-dimensional player.“By whatever little I have seen, if you ask me honestly, I feel he is just a slogger… I don’t think he is technically sound,” Amir was quoted as saying in a Pakistani show. “He just stands there and wants all balls to be bowled in a particular area. I will consider him a proper batter only when I see that the ball is swinging even slightly and he tackles it well.” Amir also suggested that Pakistani bowlers should target Abhishek with bodyline bowling and slower balls, claiming he lacks patience and technique.Meanwhile, Abhishek has been racing against time to recover from a serious stomach infection that led to weight loss and hospitalisation.Recently, Varun Chakravarthy offered a more positive update, saying, “As far as I have spoken to him he looks good, he did some practice today also. He told me he is on the way.”Abhishek has travelled with the team to Colombo and will undergo final fitness tests. India have made a perfect start to their campaign, having already won both their matches against USA and Namibia, respectively. If they win the game against Pakistan on Sunday, the Men in Blue will qualify for the Super 8s.

India vs Pakistan (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan will train at different times ahead of their big T20 World Cup match on Sunday in Colombo. Pakistan will practice in the afternoon, while India will train in the evening, with both teams also scheduled to speak to the media before their sessions. Updating on their training schedules, ICC stated, “Pakistan will have a training session at the RPICS from 14h00 to 17h00 local time and hold a media interaction at the Press Conference Room starting around 13h45.”

“India will have a training session at the RPICS from 18h00 to 21h00 local time and hold a media interaction at the Press Conference Room starting around 17h30,” the ICC statement added.Team India received a grand welcome when they arrived in Colombo on Friday. Local dancers and drummers greeted the team at the airport, creating a festive scene. Arshdeep Singh grabbed attention by dancing to the drum beats, which, as expected, soon went viral on social media. Head coach Gautam Gambhir looked serious and focused.India will hope to dominate Pakistan on the field. Players like Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson are expected to play key roles with the bat. Abhishek is recovering from illness and will aim to bounce back after a poor start in India’s tournament opener.Arshdeep and Hardik have strong past records against Pakistan, and Ishan Kishan is in good form. Tilak Varma has performed well against Pakistan in the latest Asia Cup final and will try to continue that success.Since Sri Lanka’s pitches usually help spinners, Varun Chakravarthy could be an important bowler for India in this match.

Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan (PTI Photo)

Following his match-winning knock against Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup clash in Delhi, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan opened up about the advice he received from all-rounder Hardik Pandya after losing his BCCI central contract in 2024. Kishan revealed how Hardik urged him not to dwell on the setback but to make the most of every opportunity in domestic cricket.Kishan’s explosive 24-ball 61, along with Hardik’s blazing 28-ball 52 and two wickets, powered India to a commanding 93-run win over Namibia. After the game, the two shared a light-hearted conversation about their performances and the tough phase Kishan endured following the loss of his contract over alleged lack of commitment to red-ball and domestic cricket.

Interestingly, Hardik himself was navigating a challenging period in early 2024. After returning to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans — where he had led the side to an IPL title — he was appointed MI captain. The decision triggered heavy backlash from sections of fans loyal to former skipper Rohit Sharma, with loud boos and criticism greeting Hardik at several venues.During this period, Hardik and Ishan spent considerable time together, bonding and training extensively. Determined to respond with performances, Kishan piled on the runs in domestic cricket. He began with a century for India-C in the Duleep Trophy, followed by 38 in the Irani Cup. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, he struck a century for Jharkhand. He also impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 316 runs in seven matches in the latter at an average of over 45 and a strike rate exceeding 128, including a hundred.Kishan carried that momentum into the IPL, scoring 354 runs in his debut season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, including a century against Rajasthan Royals. A stint with Nottinghamshire in County cricket saw him register two fifties. He then led Jharkhand to their maiden SMAT title, topping the charts with 517 runs in 10 innings, including two centuries and two fifties. A breathtaking 39-ball 125 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Karnataka further strengthened his case for national selection.His return to India’s T20I squad against New Zealand proved fruitful, as he emerged as the second-highest run-getter with 215 runs at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of over 231, including a century and a fifty. Notably, there was marked improvement in his off-side play and six-hitting ability.When he brought up his maiden T20I century against New Zealand in Kerala, Hardik was at the non-striker’s end, sharing an emotional hug as Kishan reached the milestone.Reflecting on his time away, Kishan said that although he is “not the kind of person to stay quiet”, Hardik advised him to let his bat do the talking.“I am usually not the kind of person who will keep quiet, but because I was in touch with him and he was like, ‘It’s up to you whether you want to talk to somebody about it or go negative about it. It is in your hand’. And that was playing cricket and scoring runs. And doing well in whichever tournaments I was playing in. Credit also goes to him (for helping him in his India comeback),” said Kishan.Hardik, meanwhile, recalled Kishan’s century against the Kiwis with pride, highlighting the journey they have shared.“The rhythm in which you smashed it, the way the ball left your bat, I was extremely happy. For the last two years, you have worked really hard behind the scenes, kept quiet. Even when the opportunity did not come, you were still smiling, keeping the spirit high and working hard,” said Hardik.“Hard work is supposed to happen when no one is watching. And that is the actual benefit. No matter what happens in life, do not be a crybaby. Get up in the morning, work hard, put your head down and sleep. Again, repeat it. He has taken the torch, responded with the bat, and I am really proud of it,” the all-rounder concluded.

United States’ Nosthush Kenjige celebrates the wicket of Netherlands’ Michael Levitt during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Netherlands and United States in Chennai, India, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP)

The United States secured a 93-run win over the Netherlands in a group-stage match of the T20 World Cup on Friday, riding on Saiteja Mukkamalla’s 79 and a four-wicket spell from former India U-19 cricketer Harmeet Singh. It was USA’s first T20I victory against the Netherlands.Mukkamalla’s 51-ball 79 anchored the innings as USA posted 196 for 6 in 20 overs. Shubham Ranjane contributed 48 not out from 24 balls to push the total close to 200.

In reply, the Netherlands were bowled out for 103 in 15.5 overs. Left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh returned figures of 4 for 21, the best by a USA bowler in a T20 World Cup match.Harmeet did not extract sharp turn but benefited from errors by the batters. Opener Max O’Dowd (13) and all-rounder Bas de Leede (23) were dismissed off short deliveries that were hit to fielders. He also bowled a flat delivery that beat captain Scott Edwards and another straight ball that trapped Roelof de Merwe lbw.Left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige accounted for Michael Levitt with a ball that stayed low.Chasing on a surface that slowed as the match progressed, the Netherlands did not build partnerships and fell well short of the target.Earlier, Mukkamalla set the platform with his 79. He shared a 55-run stand for the second wicket with captain Monank Patel (36) and added 54 for the fourth wicket with Ranjane.Mukkamalla, who trained at the academy run by VVS Laxman in Hyderabad, struck five fours and four sixes. He scored freely through the off side, including shots over cover.Ranjane attacked in the closing overs and handled the short-ball approach used by the Netherlands bowlers. He hit Roelof van der Merwe for a straight six and pulled both Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek.At one stage, with Mukkamalla and Ranjane at the crease, USA were positioned for a total beyond 200. However, van Beek and de Leede varied their pace on the Chepauk surface to restrict further damage.Bas de Leede, son of former Netherlands seamer Tim de Leede, finished with figures of 3 for 37.

Despite the setback, stand-in Australia captain Travis Head urged calm, pointing to their turnaround in the 2023 ODI World Cup after a shaky start.( ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Zimbabwe pulled off a major upset in Group B of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, defeating Australia by 23 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday. After posting 169 for 2, Zimbabwe successfully defended the total, bowling Australia out for 146 in 19.3 overs.Despite the setback, stand-in Australia captain Travis Head urged calm, pointing to their turnaround in the 2023 ODI World Cup after a shaky start.

“We’ve been there before. I said at the toss, we saw it in 2023 with a few defeats and injuries. We have a few guys here who were there in India in 2023 and we’ll look to navigate this situation and use that blueprint.”Head explained that the decision to field first was influenced by the nature of the pitch, which he believed would play consistently across both innings. He felt the target was within reach.“We thought it’s a good wicket. A bit tacky at the start and we thought it would be even through the two innings. Even though we only took two wickets, I thought they were a bit under par.“But we lost early wickets and came under pressure. They played well. I still felt like we’d have taken the score and were happy to chase that.“The feedback throughout was that it was a good wicket. We put ourselves under pressure by losing wickets. We found a partnership in the middle but we left ourselves with too many.”Australia’s campaign has also been impacted by injuries. Mitchell Marsh remains unavailable with a groin problem, while Tim David recently returned from a hamstring strain.Their pace resources are stretched as well, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missing — marking the first time since 2011 that Australia are competing at a World Cup without Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc together.

Hardik Pandya (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India put up another commanding all-round performance, thrashing Namibia by 93 runs in their T20 World Cup encounter on Thursday to register their second consecutive victory of the tournament. Powered by aggressive half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya, the defending champions piled up a daunting 209/9 before bowling Namibia out for 116 in 18.2 overs.After the match, Pandya reflected on his form and preparation, saying, “Yeah, definitely, just enjoying the sport. Had a good couple of months to prepare and, you know, get the rhythm and, you know, get the body right. Thus far everything is going well.” Highlighting how much his batting means to him, he added, “Yes, I’ve always taken pride in my batting as an all-rounder. So whenever I get an opportunity, I make sure that both the skills are managed rightly… batting is always close to my heart. And when that comes, it’s a, you know, if you add the more sugar to the cake.”

Pandya also elaborated on the effort that goes into staying in peak physical condition. “Body has been fantastic. I’ve always mentioned it takes a lot of hard work, which I cherish. But, you know, playing for the country has always been a pride, always been my number priority,” he said. “A lot of work goes behind the scene where I’m kind of out and kind of go into army, army sort of a camp where I do morning, evening sessions… make sure I eat well, make sure I sleep well, make sure my habits are good.”Put in to bat, India began in explosive fashion, with Kishan in particularly commanding form. The left-hander went on the attack from the outset, hammering 61 off just 24 balls and reaching his half-century in only 20 deliveries as India surged past 100 within the first seven overs.Pandya then anchored the middle phase with authority, striking a polished 52 off 28 balls and adding a vital 81-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Shivam Dube (23 off 16), allowing India to keep the scoreboard ticking despite periodic setbacks.Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus stood out with the ball, employing smart variations to return career-best figures of 4/20. His spell helped stem the flow late in the innings as India lost five wickets for just four runs, but the target remained well beyond Namibia’s reach.Chasing 210, Namibia failed to match the required tempo, even though a few batters showed promise at the start. Varun Chakravarthy was exceptional with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 3/7 from two overs.India had opened their campaign with a win over the USA, followed it up with this emphatic victory against Namibia, and will now turn their attention to a high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday in Colombo.

NEW DELHI: The words echo with the fierce determination that has defined one of alpine skiing’s greatest champions.For Lindsey Vonn, winning has never just been about medals, it has been about resilience, comeback, and an unrelenting hunger to push boundaries.Just days after a devastating crash at the Milan Cortina Games, Vonn delivered another powerful reminder of her mindset, updating fans from her hospital bed after undergoing a “successful” third surgery on her broken left leg.

“I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago,” Vonn wrote on Instagram, sharing photos of herself giving a thumbs-up with a metal frame stabilising her leg. “I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.”Quote of the day: “I’m never tired of winning, and I’m never tired of skiing.”Earlier this month, during the Winter Olympics, the 41-year-old skiing legend crashed just 13 seconds into her downhill run and was airlifted off the course, later revealing a complex tibia fracture that would require multiple surgeries. The setback came just nine days after she ruptured the ACL in the same knee yet another chapter in a career marked by extraordinary highs and punishing injuries.Vonn’s comeback story had already captivated fans worldwide. After nearly six years of retirement, she returned to competitive skiing in December 2024 following knee surgery earlier that year.Heading into the Olympics, she was in sensational form, winning two downhills, finishing on the podium in seven of eight World Cup races, and proving she could still dominate the speed events.Doctors noted that her injury required external fixation, a technique used to stabilise severe fractures, but Vonn’s spirit remained unbroken. Surrounded by family and flooded with messages of support, she thanked medical staff, friends, and fans, while also cheering on her Team USA teammates from her hospital room.Billie Jean King hailed her as “Forever the champion,” while Allyson Felix sent messages of love and encouragement. Teammates called her “the baddest there is,” reflecting the respect she commands across the sporting world.“I’m never tired of winning” may sound like a simple statement, but in Vonn’s journey, it represents far more than trophies. It symbolises an athlete who refuses to surrender—to injury, to age, or to doubt.

Nepal: Rohit Paudel (c), Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Dipendra Singh Airee, Basir Ahamad, Kushal Bhurtel, Sundeep Jora, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Nandan Yadav.

Italy: Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Harry Manenti, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Ali Hasan, Thomas Draca, Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ben Manenti, Zain Ali.