On paper, Pakistan are no match for South Africa even though Fatima Sana's team did win an ODI in the bilateral series that served as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
The islanders, led by Charith Asalanka, have quietly built a formidable unit combining top-order solidity with middle-order power and a spin attack tailor-made for UAE conditions.
Afghanistan are only mathematically alive in the race although they beat England in their impressive Champions Trophy debut.
UP Warriorz's 12 runs win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru knocked the defending champions out from the race to the play-offs on Saturday, confirming qualification for Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants in the process.
As the battle for semi-final berths intensifies in Group B, top-ranked South Africa will aim to assert their dominance and secure a spot in the final four when they face a struggling England in a high-stakes Champions Trophy clash in Karachi on Saturday.
Kolkata Knight Riders are on the brink of elimination from the Indian Premier League after losing to Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday, but captain Ajinkya Rahane remains hopeful.
As per the current plan, Hyderabad is likely to host Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, while Kolkata is expected to stage Qualifier 2 and the Final, tentatively scheduled for May 30 or June 1.
CSK's surprising decision to send Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bat at No 9 during their run chase against RCB has drawn sharp criticism from former cricketers and fans.
Images from the ICC Champions League Group B match between Afghanistan and Australia in Lahore, on Friday.
Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh struck half-centuries, while left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar took three wickets as Punjab Kings outclassed Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs.
What each team from Group B needs to do to make the semis.
GT vaulted to the top of the table with 16 points, while MI now find themselves in must-win territory in their remaining games.
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Lucknow, on Friday.
India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana defended her team's ultra-defensive batting approach in a chase of 106 runs against Pakistan.
A rampaging Mumbai Indians will look to maintain their winning run in a vital mid-table battle against a dangerous Lucknow Super Giants in an Indian Premier League clash here on Sunday.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's sturdy middle-order, in-form skipper Smriti Mandhana and a partisan home crowd will be the major challenges UP Warriorz will have to contend with when the two teams clash in the Women's Premier League match in Bengaluru on Monday.
MI will hope Jasprit Bumrah returns to his menacing best, which is essential for them to stop an explosive Sunrisers Hyderabad batting unit in its tracks.
India need victory big enough to boost its net run-rate (NRR) when they face Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Rajasthan Royals paid the price for their shoddy show during the business end as a washout of their final IPL league game
Thanks to a rain-washed match against Gujarat Titans, SRH climbs to 15 points in 13 games.
Defending champions Australia delivered a commanding performance to bowl out Pakistan for 82 and then cruised to a nine-wicket victory, virtually sealing a spot in the women's T20 World Cup semifinals, in Dubai on Friday.
India along with New Zealand and Pakistan are in contention for the last remaining semi-final spot from Group A.
Captain Hayley Matthews and her opening partner Qiana Joseph struck fine half centuries as the West Indies registered a thumping six-wicket win over England to qualify for the semifinals of the Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai on Tuesday.
India registered a hard-fought six-wicket win over arch rivals Pakistan, keeping their semi-final hopes alive in the Women's T20 World Cup.
With SRH qualifying with just a point, the CSK vs RCB game has become a knockout match.
England will need to defeat Namibia in their last league match and hope that Scotland lose to Australia.
Maharashtra secured a resounding 439-run victory over Baroda in a Group A Ranji Trophy match, keeping defending champions Mumbai's hopes alive for the knockout stage.
No team is assured of a semifinal berth and England will need to defeat USA by either 10 runs or at least an over to spare to stay in contention for the semifinals.
Pakistan's Super 8 qualification chance hinges on winning big in their last two games against Canada and Ireland.
Out of reckoning from the IPL playoffs, Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants will look to end their campaign on a winning note when they clash at the Wankhede Stadium here on Friday.
Afghanistan, Australia and Bangladesh are in the running for a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
Tim Paine wants Mitchell Marsh and Co. to 'manipulate' their final group game against Scotland to ensure that England are knocked out of the T20 World Cup.
India opener Shafali admitted that Sri Lanka are no longer only dependent on their skipper Chamarai Athapaththu.
The 27-year-old Arundhati Reddy was the star of the day as she returned excellent figures of 3/19 to help India restrict Pakistan to 105 for eight.
Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill did not forget to mention that they were 15 runs short while batting, as the net run-rate did not witness a quantum leap despite their 35-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in the IPL match in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will be desperate for victory by a big margin when they take on wooden spooners Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mumbai on Sunday, in what could also be their last outing in IPL 2023.
New Zealand will firmly bank on their potent batting line-up to ward off Bangladesh's capable spin attack on a slow Chepauk pitch on Friday.
The two teams last met in the ODI World Cup in 2023. It was in Mumbai where Glenn Maxwell had played a once-in-a-generation knock to notch up a sensational double hundred while battling cramps all over his body, with Pat Cummins in tow who provided sturdy support from the other end.
