Usman Tariq has drawn attention throughout the tournament for his unusual action, including a pronounced pause before delivering his off-breaks. (ICC Photo)

England left-arm spinner Liam Dawson insisted the two-time champions will not be consumed by the buzz around Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq ahead of Tuesday’s crucial T20 World Cup Super Eights encounter. He stressed that England are preparing for Pakistan’s entire spin unit rather than focusing on one individual threat.England head into the contest on the back of a convincing 51-run win over co-hosts Sri Lanka. Another victory against Pakistan would seal a top-two finish in their Super Eights group and confirm a semifinal berth.

However, there are concerns over England’s susceptibility to spin after four of their top five batters were dismissed by Sri Lankan spinners in their previous outing — an issue that could be tested against a Pakistan attack featuring Tariq, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha and Mohammad Nawaz.Tariq has drawn attention throughout the tournament for his unusual action, including a pronounced pause before delivering his off-breaks. England captain Harry Brook was even seen imitating Tariq’s bowling style during practice. Despite the spotlight on the Pakistani spinner, Dawson underlined the importance of a balanced approach.“It’s not all about Tariq. They’re a very good team with some dangerous players, and Tariq’s obviously a very good bowler. But we’re not going to just look at him. We’ll look at the whole team and see how we can nullify them,” Dawson told reporters on the eve of the match.Dawson played a key role in England’s win over Sri Lanka, combining with Will Jacks and Adil Rashid to claim seven wickets as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 95 while chasing 146/9. He pointed to the diversity within England’s spin attack as a major strength.“We’re all very different types of spinners. Jacksy gets a lot of overspin and a lot of bounce. Dilly (Rashid) has all his variations. Me – I sort of don’t get the bounce that the other two get. It will be a different challenge on Tuesday night. We might get a better batting wicket. We’ll have to see.”“Out of the three or four of us, I’m probably more the defensive spinner in this, and I know that’s my role, and I’m just trying to be consistent for the captain. Adil can use all his tricks, and he comes on us to get the wickets and get us back in games or put us ahead in games.“We’re all very experienced. If you look at the amount of cricket that me and Adil have played, even Jacks as well, it’s probably only with Beth that’s probably got a little bit less experience. But there’s a lot of trust in the guys that go out there and try to execute what you want to try and do,” he added.

India’s Axar Patel, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav (ANI Photo)

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the team management’s decision to leave out Axar Patel for the crucial Super 8 clash against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026.India opted to persist with Washington Sundar in the playing XI, citing his favourable match-up against left-handers. However, the move did not pay off. Sundar bowled two overs for 17 runs and failed to make an impact with the bat, scoring 11 at No.5, ahead of Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. India went on to suffer a heavy 76-run defeat.

Speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ashwin said that while match-up strategies may work in franchise cricket, they are not always suited to international tournaments, where stability is key.“I agree that the IPL is good for match-ups, but you have to change the team because you are going to play 14 games. But in such ICC campaigns, the more stable you can keep the team, the better,” Ashwin said.“I agree 100 per cent that you have to use Washington Sundar against left-handers; you have to play him, I agree with all that. But Axar Patel has been your MVP in T20 cricket. Let’s not forget what Axar Patel has done,” he added.Making a strong case for Axar’s return, Ashwin referred to the all-rounder’s contribution in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, when India were under pressure in the chase against South Africa.“In the previous World Cup, in the situation against South Africa, in which India was in the chase, Axar Patel came in under the same circumstances. He stitched a partnership with Virat Kohli, and India crossed 170. Of course, Kohli’s experience was there, but Axar is not inferior. If India had a few wickets in hand and stability in the middle overs, they would have chased the target down,” said Ashwin.Axar, who is India’s vice-captain, was first rested for the match against the Netherlands and then overlooked again for the Super 8 fixture in Ahmedabad. With the defeat leaving India’s semi-final hopes hanging in the balance, the focus will now shift to their next encounter against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

India’s Axar Patel celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Criticism continues to mount over India’s decision to bench vice-captain Axar Patel for the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against South Africa national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.The team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, opted to include Washington Sundar instead, citing South Africa’s left-heavy top order as the primary reason. However, the tactical switch failed to deliver the desired impact, with Sundar putting in an underwhelming performance as India slumped to a crushing 76-run defeat.

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has now joined the growing list of voices questioning the move. While Jasprit Bumrah removed both Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton early, Sundar was unable to trouble the middle order. He bowled just two overs, conceding 17 runs at an economy of 8.5, and was comfortably handled by David Miller and Dewald Brevis.Rahane did not hide his disappointment with the selection call.“I’m really surprised that Axar Patel didn’t play. I don’t understand what’s happening. Yes, Washington Sundar is a quality player; nobody is against him. But Axar has been doing so well in different situations. Sometimes I feel that when you become too smart, selection-wise, it can hamper you. You brought Sundar because too many left-handers in the South African lineup, but he only bowled two overs,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz.He further stressed that match-up theories do not always guarantee success.“There’s no guarantee that off-spinners will bowl really well against the left-handers. Axar’s record against left-handed batters is really good. We all saw what Keshav Maharaj did. You have to play the quality player in your team who has done so well for you in the past,” he added.What made the decision more puzzling, according to critics, was the fact that Axar is the designated vice-captain. He had earlier been rested for the game against the Netherlands, allowing Sundar his first outing of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Many expected Axar to return for the crucial Super 8 encounter, but the management persisted with Sundar — a move that backfired badly.Rahane reiterated that overthinking may have cost the team dearly.“When you overthink, I get the match-ups. Axar Patel is a quality player; he has done well for you in the past. He is a quality left-arm spinner with great character. No one is against Washington Sundar, but you have to back your main guy,” said Rahane.“He’s the vice-captain of the team. Unless he has a niggle, which we don’t know about. If he’s fit, he should be in the XI, any day,” he added.Following the heavy defeat in Ahmedabad, pressure has intensified on Gambhir and the think tank. With their campaign now on shaky ground, India face a must-win clash against Zimbabwe on Thursday, February 26, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Another setback could effectively end their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan (ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Following India’s 76-run defeat to South Africa in their Super Eights clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium, former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar analysed the team’s batting collapse and the challenges ahead, saying Abhishek Sharma has “passed the baton of zeroes” to the in-form Ishan Kishan.India were bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs while chasing 188 after South Africa posted 187/7. Marco Jansen starred with 4/22 and Keshav Maharaj picked up 3/24. Despite Shivam Dube’s fighting 42, India never recovered from early blows, with Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma falling cheaply.

Nayar pointed to the unusual situation facing India’s top order and was critical of the openers’ display against the Proteas.“It’s going to be a very uncomfortable discussion between Ishan Kishan and Abhishek as to who takes the strike because suddenly he has passed the baton of the zeroes to Ishan Kishan, someone who was in prime form. But this is a problem for India,” Nayar told JioStar.He also spoke about the technical issues posed by quality off-spin and stressed the need for better planning in the upcoming matches.“There is definitely going to be a discussion about how they can overcome an off-spinner bowling to them because, keep in mind, when they take on the West Indies as well, Roston Chase is going to bowl in the powerplay to them. So they will want to come back with better plans,” Nayar said.“With the newer ball, when you hit the seam at times as a finger spinner, you can get that extra bounce, and that’s the tricky part. If it’s slightly slower in the air, like we saw there, and the ball hits the seam and deviates even a bit, that’s enough in T20 cricket to get you out because it creates doubt and can earn you a wicket,” Nayar added.Nayar’s remarks highlight India’s urgency to adapt against quality spin as they look to revive their semi-final hopes in the Super Eights.

NEW DELHI: Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock shared his assessment of India’s Super 8 defeat to the Proteas, saying the co-hosts failed to adjust to the conditions in Ahmedabad and did not recognise the “new ball challenge with the seam moving around.”South Africa ended India’s 12-match unbeaten run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a commanding 76-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

India made an early impact as Jasprit Bumrah delivered a superb opening spell of 2/7. However, the Proteas bounced back strongly through a 97-run stand off just 51 balls between David Miller and Dewald Brevis. Tristan Stubbs then provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 44 off 24 deliveries, powering South Africa past 180.“India didn’t adapt well to the conditions in Ahmedabad. South Africa had played three matches here already, so they knew what to expect. Yes, they struggled at first when they lost the wickets of Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton early, but they did not stop adjusting as per the conditions. It was only when Brevis and Miller batted together that things worked for them.“Tristan Stubbs put his batting power to good use in the end to help South Africa reach 187. India’s chase would have been simple had they played carefully in the beginning,” Pollock said.In reply, India never found momentum in the powerplay and slipped to 31/3 after six overs. South Africa maintained control over the strong Indian batting unit, eventually bowling them out for 111 in 18.5 overs.“The first six overs was the toughest because the ball wasn’t coming onto the bat nicely. Instead, they went after the bowlers from the very first over. You can’t do that on this kind of a pitch while chasing a big total. They lost two early wickets and were under pressure right away. Sometimes, you have to be smart and patient. India didn’t change their approach. They didn’t realise that the new ball would be the biggest challenge with the seam moving around,” he added.India must now win their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies to keep their semi-final hopes alive, especially with their net run rate slipping to -3.8.

NEW DELHI: For Lungi Ngidi, the key moment in his growth as a T20 bowler did not arrive on the international stage but during a formative stint in the IPL nets.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The 2018 season with Chennai Super Kings offered him limited game time, yet it proved pivotal. Spending long hours training alongside Dwayne Bravo, Ngidi worked extensively on his slower deliveries — a skill that would later become a defining feature of his T20 bowling.

Against India in the T20 World Cup on Sunday, Ngidi returned impressive figures of 0 for 15 in four overs, including 10 dot balls. He once again relied on subtle variations and clever changes of pace, frequently alternating between wide yorkers and cutters. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav struggled to read him, often setting up for an anticipated off-cutter only to be surprised by a different variation.Recalling his transformation, Ngidi said: “Like I’ve always said, I was at the IPL in 2018 with Bravo, and that entire IPL, that’s all I worked on. I wasn’t playing, so I got time to practice it. And then when I got back to South Africa, I just tried to perfect that ball.”He acknowledged that mastering change-ups required patience.“Whether it’s a slow ball yorker, or back of length or slow ball bouncer. So three different lengths with the same ball. I guess you’ve got to guess which one’s coming next,” he said.Ngidi believes staying under the radar benefits him.“I think probably just flying under the radar. So not many people pay attention to me. But I guess that helps me in terms of being able to us all these variations,” he said.Detailing his strategy against India, he added, “And then tonight, I used my leg cutter because I know that they’re obviously probably preparing for just an off-cutter. I could see Surya set up as well, looking to sort of just lift it over the leg side.“So just to show him something different, keep him guessing. And that seemed to work pretty well.”For Ngidi, the focus was on pressure rather than wickets.“But I guess just looking at the scoreboard and seeing their position, I kind of knew what I had to do. It was pretty much more build pressure than try to be greedy and put my name up in the wickets column. So, yeah, using that tactic, I guess it worked off pretty well tonight,” he said.He feels the slower ball gives him an edge in modern T20 cricket.“But I think having my slower ball gives me the upper hand in terms of batsmen can’t just swing every ball. We’ve seen that a bit in the power play. So once you have to think, I think that’s where I come into the game.”Ultimately, Ngidi aims to create doubt.“Once you start second-guessing your options, I think that’s what a bowler really wants in the end.“And then all of a sudden, once the pressure’s building, I don’t think they have an answer for what I’m about to deliver next. So it kind of works in my favour that nobody really thinks about me,” Ngidi added.

Sahibzada Farhan could eclipse Virat Kohli’s record of being the top scorer in a single T20 World Cup edition. (AP)

TimesofIndia.com in Kandy: In a T20 World Cup where Pakistan’s campaign has lurched between frustration and uncertainty, Sahibzada Farhan has quietly become their most reliable presence. With 220 runs to his name and at least two matches still to come, Farhan finds himself in rare territory, one that inevitably invites comparisons, records, and pressure.At the pre-match press conference, he was asked a million dollar question on whether he is aiming to take down Virat Kohli‘s 12-year-old record as leading run-getter in the T20 World Cup. Kohli amassed 319 runs in the 2014 edition and 296 runs in 2022. His 319-run tally is still the highest by any batter in a single T20 World Cup.

“I don’t look at stats. Even when I perform, people tell me how many runs I’ve scored,” he told reporters. “If you start thinking about records, it becomes an added burden. I want to finish well. I want Pakistan to be proud.”That philosophy has shaped Farhan’s T20 World Cup so far. In a tournament where rain washed away momentum and Pakistan’s batting order repeatedly collapsed under pressure, Farhan has provided something invaluable: time at the crease. While critics have questioned strike rates and tempo, a conversation that has followed Pakistan’s top order for years, Farhan pushed back gently but firmly. “This is international cricket. You can’t start hitting from ball one every time. You have to read the pitch,” he explained. “If the ball is in my range, I attack. Once I get momentum, I try to take it long so the team can benefit.”Those words also reflect Pakistan’s broader dilemma. The bowlers, especially the spinners, have largely delivered. The batting, however, has struggled to keep pace, particularly against top opposition. Farhan did not shy away from acknowledging that reality. “Yes, we have collapsed in batting,” he admitted. “In T20 cricket, your top three or four have to score runs. We haven’t done that consistently. But the boys are working hard, and they are focused.”

Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Namibia and Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Despite the scrutiny, Farhan spoke with notable calm about the pressure surrounding senior players and teammates. Whether it was Saim Ayub’s lean run or the criticism aimed at experienced campaigners, Farhan stressed belief and roles over panic. “Not every player can perform in every match. Everyone has their own role,” he said. “Saim is an impact player. He believes in himself, and that belief matters in T20 cricket.”Attention also turned to upcoming challenges, including facing elite pacers. Asked about squaring up against England’s Jofra Archer, Farhan was refreshingly blunt. “It’s not a big deal,” he shrugged. “We’ve faced him before. He will plan for me, but I have planned for him too. That’s international cricket.”

A large screen announces a delay in the start of T20 World Cup cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan due to rain in Colombo. (AP)

What perhaps stood out most was Farhan’s clarity amid chaos. Rain delays, points-table permutations, decisions at the toss, none seemed to interest him. “Those calls are for the captain and coach,” he said. “Our job is to prepare and play according to the conditions.”As Pakistan head deeper into the Super Eight phase, Farhan’s runs carry added weight. Each innings inches him closer to Kohli’s historic World Cup tally, even if he insists that the numbers mean little. Yet records means a lot to the players, especially in the subcontinent. Whether he reaches the mark or not, one thing is clear. In a T20 World Cup filled with noise around Pakistan’s batting, Sahibzada Farhan has chosen the quietest route, scoring runs, absorbing pressure, and letting his bat talk.

West Indies vs Zimbabwe (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: West Indies delivered a crushing performance to beat Zimbabwe by 107 runs in their T20 World Cup Super Eights match in Mumbai, starting their campaign in dominant fashion. With this win, West Indies have overtaken South Africa to go top of the Group 1 points table in the T20 World Cup Super 8s. The Windies currently boast a superior net run rate (NRR) of +5.350, ahead of second-placed South Africa, who have an NRR of +3.800.

With only top two teams from the group making the semi-finals, India, currently third with a -3.800 NRR, could find it difficult to enter the knock-out stage if there is a tie on points at the end of this ongoing stage. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Zimbabwe were punished badly as the West Indies batters went on a scoring rampage at the Wankhede Stadium.Shimron Hetmyer was the star of the show, smashing a brilliant 85 off just 34 balls to help West Indies post a massive 254-6, the second-highest total ever in T20 World Cup history. Hetmyer was dropped early in his innings, and Zimbabwe paid a heavy price for that mistake. He raced to a fifty in just 19 balls and added a rapid century partnership with Rovman Powell, who also played a strong knock of 59 off 35 balls. After they got out, Sherfane Rutherford kept the scoring going with 31 not out, while Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder added quick runs at the end, with 38 runs coming off the final two overs.Chasing a huge target of 255, Zimbabwe had a nightmare start. They were reduced to 20-3 inside the first three overs and never recovered. Although Brad Evans fought hard with a late 43 off 21 balls, the rest of the batting collapsed under pressure. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs.Left-arm spinners Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein dominated with the ball, taking four and three wickets respectively to seal an emphatic win. The match showed the big gap between the two sides on the day, with West Indies sending a strong message in the Super Eights stage.

NEW DELHI: As Jammu and Kashmir prepare for their maiden Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka in Hubbali, fast-bowling spearhead Auqib Nabi remains the calmest presence in a dressing room filled with nerves. The pacer from Sheeri village in Baramulla has been the driving force behind J&K’s dream run this season.When J&K step onto the field on Tuesday, expectations will once again rest on Nabi’s shoulders. He has taken 55 wickets from nine matches this season — the second-highest tally — at a remarkable average of 12.72. Bowling coach P. Krishnakumar reflected on the shy pacer’s rise into a dominant force.

“If you look at his record, he has got 199 wickets in 40 games. I have been with him for the last three years and he has taken 99 wickets in the last two seasons. In this season, he’s taken 50-plus wickets so far and that shows his skill level has gone to a different level now because he knows how to move the ball, bowl on different pitches and against different batters. So it’s not a one-day process – it took almost one year to develop it and it began in the first year when I came into the Jammu & Kashmir team,” said Krishnakumar to IANS.A fan of Dale Steyn, Nabi made his Ranji debut in 2020 but has flourished in the past two seasons. Krishnakumar credited his bowling action as the foundation of his success.“You see, he has a very, very good action… If you compare and look at it from a biomechanical perspective, his action is perfect… With the swing and seam he has, it becomes very difficult for the batters to get runs against Auqib.”The transformation required relentless effort.“The first year of me being with him, it was all about the process… He bowled a thousand balls in the first year to develop his skills, master his wrist position, and his backspin… it took almost one year to change him,” he said.Nabi’s nine-wicket haul against Bengal in the semi-final, alongside a crucial 42 with the bat, underlined his all-round impact. He also produced career-best figures of 7-24 against Rajasthan and played key roles against Delhi.“Auqib has been fantastic because taking 99 wickets in the last two seasons is unbelievable… I am sure that he will definitely get a nod in some upcoming Test series,” Krishnakumar said.Calling for national recognition, he added, “As a coach, I feel that he should be given a chance when he is performing… Taking almost 100 wickets in two years – what do you want as a player?… If somebody is performing there, I think they should definitely get into the team.”With Karnataka’s star-studded batting line-up awaiting in the final, Krishnakumar believes the occasion will not change Nabi.“The best part about Nabi is, he’s very calm in his mind… If he takes a six-wicket haul, he’s still the same and that is very important,” he said.For Nabi, who once trained without proper facilities, the final is another step in an extraordinary journey — but his focus remains firmly on delivering glory for Jammu and Kashmir.