The second unofficial one-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and England Lions in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for Sunday, was called off after security concerns in the region intensified“The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority,” the ECB said in a statement.“Tomorrow’s second ‌50-over game between England Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will no longer go ahead, and we ‌are delaying the departure of England Women for their proposed trip to Abu Dhabi next week.”.Pakistan Cricket Board also confirmed that the match scheduled for the day had been cancelled and that players and team officials were told to stay inside their hotel as a precaution.The move followed advice from the England and Wales Cricket Board amid the situation in Abu Dhabi.“There will be no practice session as well and the team has been advised to remain indoors,” the PCB said in a statement, adding that the safety and security of players and support staff remains the top priority.The PCB remains in contact with the ECB and is monitoring developments.A decision on the remaining matches will be taken after the Middle East airspace reopens. The board will decide whether the Shaheens squad should return to Pakistan or continue with the series, depending on the security situation.The disruption comes after coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. Tehran responded with missile fire across parts of the Gulf, leading several countries to close or restrict their airspace.The United States and Israel carried out the offensive on Saturday, with US President Donald Trump urging the Iranian public to remove its leadership.The strikes led to airspace closures in parts of the Gulf and affected international airlines, including Emirates and Air India.Air India said it has cancelled all flights to and from major Gulf cities — Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Muscat, Riyadh and Tel Aviv — until further notice.Dubai International Airport has suspended operations indefinitely due to airspace restrictions following the missile strikes.

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has indirectly questioned the leadership at the Pakistan Cricket Board after Pakistan crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2026 despite signing off their Super 8 campaign with a win over Sri Lanka.Pakistan’s victory in their final Group 2 fixture was not enough to overhaul New Zealand’s superior net run rate, which meant another semifinal miss at a global event. It marked Pakistan’s fourth straight failure at ICC tournaments, following early exits at the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Speaking on Tapmad, Akhtar did not mince words while criticising the team’s think tank. He labelled the management “clueless” and suggested that flawed selection calls over the past fortnight had cost Pakistan dearly.“Pakistan’s management looks completely clueless. Today’s team selection only confirmed that the XI picked over the last 15 days was wrong. There was one clear error — Saim Ayub should have played instead of Khawaja Nafay. Saim could have contributed with the ball as well,” Akhtar said.He pointed out that Pakistan’s strong showing against Sri Lanka highlighted what had been missing earlier in the tournament.“This selection showed that when you pick the right players for the right roles, they perform. Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener, yet he wasn’t played earlier. Today, Farhan, Fakhar and Abrar all delivered. That tells you everything.”Akhtar then shifted the spotlight towards PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, suggesting that while the chief may have good intentions, the structure around him is failing the team.“I have nothing against Mohsin Naqvi. From what I hear, he is a good person. He is one of the most powerful chairmen in Pakistan’s cricket history. He has influence, resources and authority. But if he cannot build a strong management structure, and the team has failed to qualify in four consecutive tournaments, then something is seriously wrong within the board.“I understand that he may not be a cricket expert and genuinely wants the team to do well. But is he seeking the right advice? It doesn’t appear so. This is a request to Naqvi: the people advising you are making you look bad. The selection committee is not doing you justice.“He may want success for Pakistan cricket, but the system around him is not helping. The real question is — who are these people? At this stage, Naqvi remains Pakistan cricket’s last hope, but he needs the right support structure to turn things around.”

South Africa vs Zimbabwe Live Score: Zimbabwe will need to fix their bowling woes against a skillful South Africa as they aim to end their spirited T20 World Cup campaign on a high in their final Super 8 fixture here on Sunday.

Reaching the Super 8 as group toppers was part of the success story for Zimbabwe, and inspired by their leader Sikandar Raza, they will be determined to push South Africa to the limit.

Bowling Discipline Key Against Proteas

South Africa are the team to beat in the ICC showpiece, and if Zimbabwe are to challenge them, they must improve their bowling performance after conceding more than 250 runs in the previous two Super 8 games against West Indies and India.

Raza knows his side can only compete with the bigger teams if all three departments click.

“At the World Cup against the best teams, you need all your three departments to be working hand in hand. And unfortunately, if one lacks, then the game runs away from you.

“So hopefully in the last game, leave everything on the park and we try and sort out all our three departments and hopefully that gives us the best chance to win the game,” Raza said after the India defeat.

Errors to Correct

Zimbabwe have been guilty of bowling too many loose balls in the Super 8 stage. They need to bowl with the discipline they displayed against Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage.

Their unbeaten run in the group stage came on slow pitches in Sri Lanka, but the margin for error drops drastically in batting-friendly Indian conditions, as they experienced in Mumbai and Chennai.

Batting Strategy: Maximising the Powerplay

On the batting front, the opening duo of Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani need to make the most of the powerplay.

Bennett, who is yet to be dismissed in the tournament, showed against India that he can also clear the ropes. He will need to find a way to tackle a wily South African attack.

South Africa’s Strengths

Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, with 11 wickets each, have been the standout bowlers for the Proteas, complemented well by pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch, and frontline spinner Keshav Maharaj.

The top three — skipper Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Ryan Rickelton — are in top form, and it would take a special bowling effort from Raza and his team to stop them.

The middle order, including David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Dewald Brevis, has also made an impact in the Super 8 stage.

Venue and Context

South Africa, who have only played in Ahmedabad and Delhi so far in the tournament, return to the national capital for their final Super 8 fixture.

In the five games played here, 200 has only been breached once, with India posting 209 against Namibia.

It is effectively a dead rubber, with South Africa already through to the semifinals and Zimbabwe eliminated from the race following back-to-back losses.

Teams

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Ben Curran.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs.

NEW DELHI: Football chiefs offered “full support and assistance” to the Iranian team in Australia on Sunday for the Women’s Asian Cup after the United States and Israel launched massive attacks on their homeland. Iran’s 26-strong squad arrived on the Gold Coast days before the strikes on Saturday killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Washington and Tel Aviv seek to topple the Islamic republic.They are due to open their tournament on Monday against South Korea.

The Asian Football Confederation said in a statement it “continues to closely monitor the recent developments in the Middle East during this challenging period”.“The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and security of all players, coaches, officials and fans,” it added.“In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the Iran women’s national team and officials on the Gold Coast and are offering our full support and assistance.”Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari held a pre-match press conference on Sunday but focused on football, saying the tournament was a chance to show “the potential of Iranian women”.“After the league season in Iran, we came together for three training camps, before coming to Australia where we have had a few fruitful sessions, so I hope tomorrow we can show you a good match,” she said.The 12-team tournament, which kicks off Sunday, will be one of the biggest stages ever for many Iranian players.They made a historic debut at the last Asian Cup in India in 2022 and suffered heavy defeats against China and Taiwan, but it made them national heroes in a country where women’s rights are severely restricted.“In India in 2022, the group was a little easier, now in 2026 we enter with more experience but the group is more tough,” said Jafari of a group that also includes hosts Australia and the Philippines.“But we (still) want to show in these games the potential of Iranian women.”Iran showed grit to come through a challenging qualifying campaign for Australia that culminated with a win against favourites Jordan to seal a back-to-back appearance.Skipper Zahra Ghanbari said she was dreaming big.“I believe this tournament is great with great teams, but we really want to qualify for the World Cup,” said the 33-year-old.“We know these will be tough games, but we have a tough mentality and we want to do our best.”The top six finishers will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup came to a disappointing end despite a win over Sri Lanka national cricket team on Saturday, with captain Salman Ali Agha conceding that the team’s batting frailties proved costly.While Sahibzada Farhan stood out with a superb hundred, the rest of the batting unit failed to deliver consistently through the tournament. Agha admitted that Pakistan’s middle-order woes have lingered for years. Senior batters Babar Azam and Saim Ayub were left out of the Super Eights clash owing to poor form.

“We couldn’t bat well throughout the tournament. If Farhan had more support, it’d have been better. Middle order has been a problem for a few years now, we’ll have to look at that,” Agha said at the post-match presentation.At one stage, Farhan (100) and Fakhar Zaman (84) had Sri Lanka on the ropes, raising hopes of a 225-plus total. However, Pakistan eventually finished at 212 for 8, falling short of fully capitalising on their blistering start.“Couldn’t finish the way we wanted to. We batted well 18 overs, opposition did well in the other two. Even 160 would’ve been difficult to defend,” Agha said.He also pointed to conditions playing a part in the contest.“(It) was always challenging after losing the toss because of dew. Could’ve been a different story had we won the toss. Dew was a factor. We couldn’t execute plans. Usman (Tariq) had an off-day, it can happen.”Asked to bat first, Pakistan piled up a formidable 212 for 8, riding on the heavy lifting done by Farhan and Zaman. To edge past New Zealand national cricket team on net run rate and qualify for the semifinals from Group 2, Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer.That scenario never materialised. The co-hosts, already out of semifinal contention, mounted a strong chase to finish on 207 for 6.Both Pakistan and New Zealand ended the Super Eights stage with three points apiece, but the Kiwis advanced as the second-placed side from the group courtesy of a superior net run rate. England cricket team had already sealed their semifinal berth after winning all three of their Super Eights matches.Farhan, who was named Player of the Match, expressed mixed emotions after his century went in vain.“(I) wanted to do well for the team, wanted Fakhar to ton up actually. The ton didn’t work for the team, that’s why I’m sad,” he said.“I have been feeling well, that brings confidence. Knew I could hit whatever was in my arc. All credit goes to domestic cricket, it’s brought out the habit of scoring at pace and scoring big.”Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka, who nearly pulled off a stunning win with a blistering 76 not out off 31 balls, felt he let the opportunity slip.“It was a close game, I could’ve finished it. Well bowled to Shaheen,” said Shanaka who needed just six runs from the last two balls to win the match.“Yes, we’re disappointed. I want to say sorry to the fans. Unfortunately, we fell down to injuries. In the future, I hope there are no injuries. Missing two key bowlers in (Wanindu) Hasaranga and (Matheesha) Pathirana. Hope they’ll return soon and do well for Sri Lankan cricket.“Sometimes, as players, we feel pressure. It was a mistake, I’m sorry to fans for disheartening them. We’re all thankful for all the support. (Pavan) Rathnayake is consistent, uses the crease well. We (also) have (Dunith) Wellalage, they (young players) are growing.”

NEW DELHI: Indian badminton ace PV Sindhu has found herself stranded in Dubai for over eight hours after missile-related disturbances in Gulf airspace led to an indefinite suspension of flights across the region.Sindhu was on her way to Birmingham to compete at the prestigious All England Open, set to begin next Tuesday, with Dubai scheduled as a transit stop. The unexpected halt in airport operations has now raised serious concerns over whether she will reach England in time for the tournament.

Providing an update on Sunday morning, Sindhu wrote: “The ordeal continues to unfold and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour.”She went on to describe a particularly alarming moment at the airport. “A few hours ago, there was an explosion close to where we were holed up at the airport. My coach had to quickly run out of the area as he was closest to the smoke and debris. It was an extremely tense and scary moment for all of us,” Sindhu said.Reassuring fans about her safety, she added: “We are all safe now and have been moved to a more secure place, thanks to the tireless efforts of the staff at Dubai Airport and the Dubai authorities. A special thanks as well to the Indian High Commission in Dubai for their incredible support and constant assistance in helping keep us safe,” she further said.“For now, we are trying to get some rest and hold on to hope as we wait for things to settle,” she said.This marked her second public update since the disruption began.On Saturday, Sindhu had posted a video from a packed airport, accompanied by the caption: “All flights suspended until further notice.”Later, she shared that she was safe but unable to leave with her team, noting how rapidly the tensions had escalated and calling it “terrifying”.“It’s hard to process what’s unfolding right now. Hearing the interceptions overhead and seeing how quickly everything has escalated is honestly terrifying,” Sindhu wrote on ‘X’.Reflecting on the situation, she added: “So many disturbing videos are coming to light, and this is sadly the reality of what is happening. Dubai is a city I deeply love, a place that has always felt safe and full of life, which makes this moment even harder to comprehend.“To everyone who has been messaging and checking in, thank you, it truly means a lot. I am safe right now, stuck here with my team, and we are doing okay as the situation around the war with Iran continues to evolve,” she added.Sindhu also painted a picture of the tense atmosphere inside the airport.“Airports are chaotic, with many families stranded and waiting, all of us just hoping we get past this soon. I’m sure the authorities are doing everything in their power, and like everyone here, we’re holding on to patience and hope,” she wrote.Summing up her feelings amid the uncertainty, she concluded: “Moments like these remind you how fragile normal life really is. Praying for safety and peace for everyone affected.”

NEW DELHI: India’s double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is currently stranded at Dubai airport after airspace closures in the Middle East disrupted flights. Sindhu was travelling to Birmingham for the 2026 All England Open Super 1000 when operations were suspended following the US and Israel’s attack on Iran.The former world champion shared the situation on social media, posting a video that showed long queues at the airport.

“All flights suspended until further notice,” she wrote while sharing the post.“It’s hard to process what’s unfolding right now. Hearing the interceptions overhead and seeing how quickly everything has escalated is honestly terrifying. So many disturbing videos are coming to light, and this is sadly the reality of what is happening. Dubai is a city I deeply love, a place that has always felt safe and full of life, which makes this moment even harder to comprehend,” she wrote in a different post on X.“To everyone who has been messaging and checking in, thank you, it truly means a lot. I am safe right now, stuck here in Dubai with my team, and we are doing okay as the situation around the war with Iran continues to evolve. The Airport is chaotic, with many families stranded and waiting, all of us just hoping we get past this soon.“Moments like these remind you how fragile normal life really is. Praying for safety and peace for everyone affected.”While Sindhu remains stuck, India’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have safely reached Birmingham for the prestigious tournament. Shetty confirmed their arrival through a social media post, writing, “Safely landed in Birmingham before US struck Iran.”Sindhu is not the only Indian sportsperson affected by the sudden escalation of tensions in the region. The Indian men’s basketball team is also stranded due to the airspace closure. The team is currently in Doha, Qatar, where they had travelled for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. They were scheduled to fly to Lebanon for their next assignment but are now unable to proceed because of the disrupted flight operations.The unexpected travel chaos has impacted several international passengers, including athletes heading for major sporting events. With flights suspended until further notice, Sindhu and others will now have to wait for further updates before continuing their journeys.

The T20 World Cup 2026 has been a campaign to forget so far for England’s senior batter Jos Buttler. The experienced right-hander has accumulated only 62 runs across seven innings, including five consecutive single-digit scores. He began the tournament with 26 against Nepal and 21 versus the West Indies, but his returns have dipped sharply since then. His struggles continued in the Super 8 clash against New Zealand in Colombo, where he was dismissed for a duck, caught behind off Lockie Ferguson. Across his last five outings against Scotland, Italy, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand, Buttler has managed scores of 3, 3, 7, 2 and 0, totalling just 15 runs.

Despite the lean patch, England captain Harry Brook has thrown his full support behind his predecessor. Brook urged critics to consider Buttler’s long-standing contribution to England cricket and went as far as describing him as the finest white-ball player the game has seen. “There’s been a lot said about Jos. I said the other day that he’s played 150 games for England in T20Is, and people probably need to take a little step back from that. He’s probably the best white-ball player to have ever played the game. He’s in a little bit of a rut now, but I think that’s an exciting thing for everybody in the world to know what he could produce in the next couple of games,” Brook said at the post-match presentation. “He’s obviously got a lot of fire in the belly, and he wants to go out there and show everybody what he’s made of. Look, he averages 34 striking at 145 in 150 games. He’s a phenomenal player, and I have no doubts he’ll go out and do well,” he added. England have Ben Duckett available as an alternative should they opt for a change. However, Brook’s comments suggest Buttler is set to feature in the semi-final in Mumbai next week against either India or the West Indies. The dip in form is not limited to this tournament. Across England’s internationals and the S20, Buttler has registered just one half-century in his last 24 innings. His previous fifty in an ICC event came during the 2024 T20 World Cup, when he struck an unbeaten 83 against the USA.