T20 World Cup 2026 could turn into a batter's paradise, as small grounds, flat pitches and fearless hitting bring the once-unthinkable 300-run mark within reach, leaving captains bracing their bowlers for a tough ride
South Africa took 16 Sri Lanka wickets in a little over two sessions to secure a ruthless victory by an innings and 118 runs in the third and final Test at the Wanderers on Saturday.
Two wickets in two balls by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath in the last half hour of play on the third day tilted the balance of the second Test towards Sri Lanka on Monday.
Pakistan will play back to back "home" series against South Africa and Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates starting in October.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged Australia's Usman Khawaja to retire on his own terms
Six nations will participate in the Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka from July 15 to August 1.
Kumar Sangakkara's 27th Test century helped Sri Lanka reach 245 for two and into a strong position at stumps on the first day of their must-win third and final Test against Pakistan in neutral Sharjah on Thursday.
England took charge of the first Test after James Anderson and Stuart Broad took nine wickets between them in favourable conditions for seam bowling to shoot out Sri Lanka for 91 after Jonny Bairstow's excellent knock at Headingley on Friday.
The ever-so-unpredictable Pakistan face their first big test of the tournament when they take on an injury-hit Sri Lankan team, which was outclassed by India in its lung-opener, in an Asia Cup league match, in Dhaka, on Wednesday.
Sri Lankan cricketer Dasun Shanaka revisited the Easter Sunday horror, the serial blasts that took place in the country on Sunday, leaving almost 300 people dead and more than 500 injured.
Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara picked up four wickets to help Sri Lanka register a comfortable 70-run win in the third and final one-day international against Bangladesh on Saturday and level the series at 1-1.
Sri Lanka has revamped its cricket selection panel with a new team under its new chairman, Sanath Jayasuriya, the country's sports ministry announced in Colombo on Monday.
The pressure will be on former captain Tillakaratne Dilshan to continue to play a pivotal role for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka will be hoping for help from wickets more suitable for spin bowling in the next two Tests against Australia after losing the opener by 137 runs on a Hobart track described as a "minefield" by coach Graham Ford.
Kumar Sangakkara struck a sparkling 221 to move to the second spot in the all-time list of Test double centurions as Sri Lanka grabbed lead before declaring their first innings on day four of the first Test against Pakistan on Saturday.
The Pakistani pace bowler was recalled to the squad for this month's one-day series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.
Sri Lanka recovered from losing opener Upul Tharanga to reach 99 for one in reply to Pakistan's 451 at close on the second day of the first Test on Thursday.
Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will not be considered for the One-Day International series in Sri Lanka on fitness grounds, interim chief selector Wasim Bari said on Saturday. Bari, who left for Sri Lanka to consult with the team management over the composition of the ODI squad, told a television channel that Akhtar would not be considered for the five-match ODI series and a Twenty20 International.
Sri Lanka have dropped Test spinners Rangana Herath and Tharindu Kaushal from their One-day squad for the five-match series against Pakistan starting on Saturday.
Elgar looked set for his 13th Test ton until he offered Sri Lanka seamer Dasun Shanaka a sharp caught-and-bowled chance that was superbly taken.
Tillakaratne Dilshan slammed an aggressive century to lead Sri Lanka to a commanding 371 for six on the opening day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Saturday.
Sri Lanka selectors made seven changes from the Test squad who are trailing Pakistan 1-0 in the three-Test series when they named a 15-man squad on Tuesday for five One-day Internationals.
England pace bowler Simon Jones will miss the series against Sri Lanka due to a knee injury
All-rounder Asela Gunaratne struck a superb 84 off 46 balls to inspire Sri Lanka to a dramatic two-wicket victory over Australia in the second Twenty20 International in South Geelong, Victoria on Sunday.
Mahela Jayawardene scored four streaky runs in his last Test, as Pakistan's bowlers dismantled Sri Lanka's first innings on the opening day of the second and final match, in Colombo, on Thursday.
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has demanded 'equal opportunities' in the playing of Test cricket, saying chances for his country to play the five-day game are being reduced. Sangakkara said he would welcome a World Test Championship, an idea being discussed within official bodies to give greater context to series, but said any new structure needs to give each team the same chances to play internationally.
Tillakaratne Dilshan produced a scintillating century as Sri Lanka put up a spirited batting display to leave the first Test against India evenly poised at the end of the second day at Motera on Tuesday.
India nearly scripted an epic win but the first cricket Test against Sri Lanka ended in a draw after a tantalising final day's cricket.
The right-arm bowler broke his left hand earlier this month while batting for English county side Hampshire.
Chasing an improbable target of 490 to level the series, the tourists finished day three on 139-5, their highest total in the spin-dominated series, at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.
New Zealand led Sri Lanka by 127 runs with eight second-innings wickets in hand after the fourth day of the opening Test.
Sri Lanka beat India by four wickets to draw level in the three-match series.
Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 240 runs in the second Test, to blank them 2-0 in the series
Bangladesh's players were keen on travelling to India to play in the upcoming T20 World Cup but they had little say during their meeting with Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul on Thursday.
Images from Day 3 in the third Test between India and Sri Lanka in Mumbai.
Images from the fourth day's play in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Ahemdabad, on Thursday.
Injury-ravaged pacer Lasith Malinga has stepped down as Sri Lanka's captain for the upcoming World Twenty20 in India following another breakdown during a disappointing Asia Cup campaign in Bangladesh.
"Virat has told the selectors that he needs some time to take a call on whether he will be playing the T20s or not. That's reason why they have not announced the T20 squad," a BCCI official, privy to selection matters, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
South Africa captain Hashim Amla remained unbeaten after his 22nd Test hundred but off-spinner Dilruwan Perera's career best figures gave Sri Lanka a big first innings lead at the end of the third day of the second Test on Saturday.
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