Quinton de Kock could scarcely have timed his statement better. With the T20 World Cup drawing closer, the South Africa opener delivered a thunderous reminder of his destructive potential by shattering his country’s all-time T20 run-scoring record, moving past Faf du Plessis with a breathtaking innings in Centurion. De Kock reached the landmark during the second T20I against the West Indies on Thursday, January 29, producing a scintillating 43-ball century at SuperSport Park. The knock not only sealed a dominant seven-wicket win but also underlined his form heading into the global tournament. He now sits atop South Africa’s T20 run charts with 12,113 runs from 430 matches, averaging 31.46 at a strike rate of 139.10.

Longevity and consistency define de Kock’s record in the shortest format. His tally of eight hundreds and 81 fifties reflects years of sustained excellence. Among South Africans, only David Miller’s 35-ball century against Bangladesh in 2017 and Dewald Brevis’ 41-ball hundred against Australia last year have come quicker than de Kock’s ton against the West Indies. The innings rewrote several entries in the record books. De Kock has now scored centuries in the top two successful 200-plus chases by South Africa in T20Is, including the only successful 250-plus chase in the format’s history. He moved into joint second for most sixes in a T20I innings by a South African, matching Reeza Hendricks with 10, with Richard Levi’s 13 from 2012 still the benchmark. He also became just the third South African, after David Miller and Rilee Rossouw, to register multiple T20I centuries. Further milestones followed. De Kock holds the record for the most hundreds by a designated wicketkeeper in men’s T20s, with eight to his name. He is also the first South African and only the second player overall, after Colin Munro, to score two T20I centuries at the same venue. In addition, he has now featured in four separate 150-plus partnerships for South Africa in the format. His 115 from 49 balls, studded with 10 sixes and six fours, powered South Africa to an astonishing chase of 222 in just 17.3 overs. The victory gave the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one game still to play.

With the 10th edition of the men’s T20 World Cup just eight days away, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has reignited the debate around the tournament’s standing in the game’s global hierarchy. Manjrekar believes the shortest format’s showpiece does not carry the same weight or legacy as the 50-over World Cup and should not be viewed through the same lens. Manjrekar, who featured in India’s World Cup campaigns in 1992 and 1996 and played 11 matches across those tournaments, has long maintained that there is only one true Cricket World Cup. In his view, that status belongs exclusively to the 50-over event, which is held once every four years and demands a longer cycle of preparation and endurance.

He pointed to the frequency of the T20 tournament as a key reason for his stance, with the competition taking place every two years. For Manjrekar, that regularity dilutes its stature and separates it from the traditional World Cup narrative built around the ODI format.

“For me, the ‘Cricket World Cup’ will always be the 50 overs World Cup. The T20 version, held every two years, must not be given the same status as a World Cup that comes once every 4 years. I prefer the original name for it – The WorldT20,” Manjrekar posted on X. His comments arrive at a time when the one-day format itself is facing uncertainty. Once the backbone of international cricket, ODIs are increasingly viewed as the least compelling of the three formats, with Test cricket and T20Is dominating schedules and attention. There is a growing belief that the 2027 World Cup in South Africa could potentially be the final ODI World Cup, despite the 2031 edition being officially earmarked for India and Bangladesh. The T20 event was originally branded as the ‘World T20’ for its first six editions, held between 2007 and 2016. The tournament was later renamed the T20 World Cup from the 2021 edition, which took place in the UAE following a five-year gap. Manjrekar’s outlook mirrors sentiments previously expressed by Rohit Sharma. The former India captain, despite lifting the T20 World Cup, has consistently placed the 50-over World Cup on a higher pedestal. That reverence perhaps explains why India’s defeat to Australia in the 2023 final continues to resonate so deeply.

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja stirred a fresh cross-border debate on social media after taking a pointed swipe at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s celebratory post following Pakistan’s 22-run win over Australia in the first T20I at Lahore.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Soon after Pakistan clinched the series opener at the Gaddafi Stadium, Sharif took to X to congratulate the Salman Ali Agha-led side, calling it a “proud moment for the nation” and lauding PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his role in strengthening Pakistan cricket.

“Well done Team Pakistan for an electrifying performance against Australia in the first T20I… Proud moment for the nation,” Sharif wrote.Jadeja, however, was quick to respond with a caustic remark that went viral within minutes.“Pakistani-yo ki choti choti khushiya. First time seeing a PM’s tweet after winning the 1st match of a bilateral series,” Jadeja posted, in a comment that many interpreted as a dig at both the scale of celebration and the context of the win.

On the field, Pakistan made the most of the opportunity ahead of T20 World Cup, with captain Salman Ali Agha leading from the front. Promoted to No.3, Agha smashed a fluent 39, later confirming that the role is locked in for the remainder of the series and the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.“Yes, I’ll be batting at No.3. We expect to face a lot of spin, and I believe I can dominate spin during the Powerplay,” Agha said after the match.Saim Ayub starred with the bat and ball, scoring 40 at the top and dismissing both Australian openers. Pakistan posted 168/8 and then choked Australia’s chase with spin, claiming six wickets as the visitors were restricted to 146/8.

NEW DELHI: As the cricketing world awaits final confirmation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on the team’s participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, captain Salman Ali Agha has removed at least one uncertainty by firmly locking in his batting position for the global event.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Pakistan are scheduled to depart for Colombo early on February 2, a move that has been widely interpreted as a strong signal that the team will take part in the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. A source close to the board told PTI that all travel arrangements are already in place, making a last-minute boycott highly unlikely.

Even as the political and administrative suspense continues, Salman has made it clear that on-field plans are already taking shape. Following Pakistan’s opening T20I win over Australia in Lahore, the skipper confirmed that he will bat at No. 3 during the World Cup.“Yes, I’ll be batting at No. 3. We expect to face a lot of spin, and I believe I can dominate spin during the Powerplay. That’s why I moved up, and that is where I’ll stay,” Salman was quoted as saying by the ICC.The decision marks a significant shift for the right-hander, who has traditionally batted lower down the order in T20Is. His promotion was on display against Australia, where he struck a fluent 39 at No.3 to anchor Pakistan’s innings in their 22-run victory.

Salman admitted Pakistan could have pushed on further with the bat but expressed confidence in his bowling unit. “We started well but couldn’t finish the way we wanted. After the first 10 overs, the ball stopped coming onto the bat,” he said. “To be honest, I felt 170 was enough. Our spin bowling is outstanding, and I knew it would be tough for them.”Pakistan defended 168 successfully, with Australian batters struggling against spin, losing six wickets in the chase.Off the field, speculation over Pakistan’s participation has refused to die down, following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament. However, insiders insist the PCB’s approach is rooted in protecting Pakistan cricket’s long-term interests and maintaining relations with the ICC.

Following the squad announcement, Naqvi addressed the Pakistan players and head coach Mike Hesson, clarifying the board’s stand.

“We are waiting for the government’s advice and whatever the government tells us to do we will do it,” he told the team.

He added that if the government advises against participation, the PCB will comply.

During the meeting, players were briefed on why Pakistan is supporting Bangladesh, and later the PCB confirmed that the squad backed the board’s principled position, even as uncertainty looms over their immediate future.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has softened his earlier stance on calling for a boycott of the upcoming T20 World Cup, admitting that the moment for such a move has passed. While ruling out a full withdrawal, the former wicketkeeper-batsman floated a different form of protest, suggesting Pakistan could take part in the tournament but decline to play fixtures against India. He stressed, however, that any such call would have to come from the Pakistani government rather than the cricket board. “If the government says we won’t play against India, the ICC will have to accept it,” Latif said. “If they don’t, that’s where the real confrontation begins.” Asked what would happen if India and Pakistan met in the final, Latif replied, “nahi khelenge’ (we won’t play)”.

Latif, who had earlier urged Pakistan to boycott the World Cup to challenge what he described as India’s influence over global cricket administration, said on Wednesday that the opportunity slipped away when the Pakistan Cricket Board did not act immediately after Bangladesh were excluded from the event. “The time for a strike has passed,” Latif said on the YouTube channel CaughtBehind. “Every decision has a timing. When the iron is hot, that’s when you strike. That time was last week during the ICC meeting.” Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland after 14 votes went against their participation, with the ICC citing logistical and contractual issues. Pakistan backed Bangladesh in the vote but eventually went along with the final decision. “We showed our support. We voted for them. That chapter is over,” Latif said. “If we boycott now, it won’t have the same impact.” Pakistan chairman Mohsin Naqvi had hinted earlier this week that the board could consider a principled stand similar to Bangladesh’s, but no formal announcement followed. The T20 World Cup will go ahead with Pakistan participating under a hybrid model, with matches involving India scheduled at neutral venues until 2027.

LAHORE: All-rounder Saim Ayub starred in Pakistan’s spin-assisted 22-run win over Australia in the first Twenty20 international in Lahore on Thursday.Ayub top-scored in Pakistan’s 168-8 with a 22-ball 40 that included two sixes and three fours, while Salman Agha added four sixes and a four in his 27-ball 39.The tourists managed 146-8 in their 20 overs with spinners taking six wickets for Pakistan.

With the ball, Ayub dismissed Australian openers Matthew Short (five) and Travis Head, who hit two sixes and two fours in his 13-ball 23. Cameroon Green resisted with a 31-ball 36 but Australia succumbed to spin with Abrar Ahmed taking 2-10 while Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan took a wicket apiece.Both teams were tuning up for the Twenty20 World Cup starting in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.Pakistan skipper Agha praised a team effort.“It was a great game with complete team effort,” said Agha. “We started well with the bat but couldn’t finish the way we wanted.“It became challenging after the first 10 overs as the ball stopped coming onto the bat, but I think we were outstanding with the ball.”Head, standing in for regular skipper Mitchell Marsh who rested, showed disappointment over batting. “It was disappointing, but that’s how batting goes sometimes,” said Head. “We felt like we dragged it back well after the first 10 overs but as the ball got softer, it became harder to score.”Earlier, Ayub led Pakistan’s batting after the home team won the toss and chose to bat.Paceman Xavier Bartlett jolted Pakistan by dismissing Sahibzada Farhan with the first ball of the match.But Ayub and Agha restored the innings with a second wicket stand of 74, but spinner Adam Zampa put the brakes on Pakistan’s progress with 4-24.Zampa dismissed both Ayub and Agha in successive overs before accounting for Babar Azam (24) and Usman Khan (18).Debutant Mahli Beardman finished with 2-33 as Pakistan managed just 31 in the last five overs.The last two matches are on Saturday and Sunday, also in Lahore.

Former champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a commanding all-round display to thrash UP Warriorz by eight wickets, sealing their spot in the WPL final and all but ending the opposition’s playoff hopes here on Thursday. After opting to bowl, RCB clawed their way back impressively despite a brisk start from UP Warriorz. Nadine de Klerk led the fightback with a brilliant spell of 4 for 22, while Grace Harris chipped in with 2 for 22, as UPW slipped from a strong position to post a modest 143 for eight.

Harris then made the chase a one-sided affair. The Australian unleashed a blistering 75 off just 37 deliveries, ensuring RCB romped home with 41 balls to spare. The emphatic victory lifted RCB to 12 points, confirming a top-of-the-table finish in the five-team competition. In contrast, UP Warriorz were left rooted to the bottom with four points and the poorest net run-rate, their campaign hanging by a thread despite having a game in hand. Harris set the tempo early, targeting Kranti Gaud in the powerplay and plundering five boundaries in the third over alone. She reached her half-century in just 28 balls, lifting Asha Sobhana over long-on, and dominated a 108-run stand with captain Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana played the perfect supporting role, bringing up a classy fifty off 26 balls. Although Harris was eventually bowled by Shikha Pandey while attempting to work a cross-seam delivery, the result was already beyond doubt, with only 36 runs needed and plenty of overs left. Earlier, UP Warriorz had looked well placed thanks to Deepti Sharma’s fluent 55 off 43 balls, her first fifty of the season. Deepti and Meg Lanning put on their best opening stand of the campaign, adding 72 in just 49 balls. However, once Lanning fell, the innings lost momentum. From a comfortable 74 without loss after eight overs, UPW slumped to 103 for four as de Klerk and Harris tightened the screws through the middle phase. De Klerk removed Lanning and trapped Amy Jones lbw, before Harris struck in consecutive overs to dismiss Harleen Deol and Chloe Tryon, swinging the contest decisively in RCB’s favour.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has backed Glenn Maxwell to rediscover his spark at the upcoming T20 World Cup, insisting that a difficult Big Bash League season should not define what the all-rounder can deliver on the biggest stage. Maxwell endured a tough BBL campaign with Melbourne Stars, scoring just 76 runs at an average of 15.20, claiming two wickets and struggling in the field with several dropped catches. He has been rested for Australia’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan but is set to rejoin the squad in Sri Lanka ahead of their tournament opener against Ireland on February 11.

Ponting, speaking to The West Australian, highlighted Maxwell’s unpredictability as both a challenge and a strength. “He can because he always has. I’ve coached him a lot and he’s a really hard player to read what’s going to happen because he can have a week of the best training you’ve ever seen and then come out and it does not happen. And he could have the world’s worst week leading into a game and come out and do something crazy,” Ponting said. While acknowledging that age can play a role, Ponting believes the World Cup environment could bring the best out of Maxwell once again. “If the edge starts to come off, it’s hard to find it and replace it. But if anything’s going to bring it out of him, a World Cup will. He’s had some pretty amazing moments in World Cups in the past and hopefully for Australia’s sake he can have a few more over the next few weeks.” Ponting expects Maxwell to be named in Australia’s XI for the opener, with the defending champions drawn in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Oman. He admitted recent form alone would not justify selection but pointed to experience and conditions as key factors. “You couldn’t pick him on form at the moment because of what everyone else in that squad has done through the BBL. But they’ll pick him because of his experience and probably because of the conditions as well,” Ponting said. He added that the presence of spin-friendly conditions and a relatively gentle start to the tournament could help Maxwell find rhythm. “He’s probably going to be facing a lot of spin bowling and he’ll give the option to be able to bowl some as well. They’ve got some pretty easy games and that might be just exactly what he needs to get himself into some touch. A bit of soft opposition early on and some runs and wickets under his belt, that might hold him in good stead for the back half.” Ponting also named Steve Smith as the leading candidate for a call-up should Australia suffer any injury setbacks. Smith enjoyed an outstanding BBL, scoring 299 runs at an average of 59.80 in six matches, including a century, after producing two fifties and a hundred during Australia’s home Ashes series. “His numbers stack up better than anybody else’s. But when you’ve been out and the side’s had some success, and Travis Head and Mitch Marsh are the incumbents, it’s hard to push one of those two guys out of an opening slot,” Ponting said. He noted that Smith’s role in the shortest format may have limited his recent opportunities. “And poor Steve has probably been pigeonholed as an opening batsman only in the T20 game, which probably has held him back a little bit in the last few years as far as selection is concerned. But he’s only one little injury away. He’s the next cab off the rank and he’s ready to go.”