Deepti Sharma starred with a five-wicket haul as India thrashed Pakistan by 64 runs in their Women's T20 World Cup opener in Birmingham.
Despite Pakistan not qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, Karachi is buzzing with excitement as the global event begins. "WC Football" villages have been set up in areas like Malir and Lyari, known for their love of the sport, featuring large screens, decorations, and enthusiastic fans. The city's passion for football is evident, with local clubs and administration organising events for youngsters, highlighting the sport's growing influence beyond cricket.
India have rested Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya from the Ireland and England tours as selectors prioritise the pacer's role in the World Test Championship and Pandya's importance to India's ODI World Cup plans.
Nasser Hussain says India's Women's Premier League and ODI World Cup triumph have created an "unstoppable force" in women's cricket, boosting talent depth and inspiring the next generation of players.
Germany's World Cup misery continued as Paraguay stunned the four-time champions on penalties in the Round of 32, extending a decade-long decline marked by defensive frailties and major tournament disappointments since 2014.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has surpassed Mithali Raj to become India's highest run-getter in the Women's T20 World Cup. She achieved this milestone during India's opening match against Pakistan, where she scored a crucial 36 runs and anchored a significant partnership.
Cabo Verde's star goalkeeper Vozinha has expressed confidence ahead of their FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash against Argentina, vowing to make history. The debutant nation has impressed with three draws in the group stage, becoming the smallest country to reach the knockout phase. Vozinha also achieved a rare feat, becoming only the third goalkeeper over 40 to register multiple clean sheets in the tournament. Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has acknowledged Cabo Verde as a tough opponent.
Manchester City and Belgium footballer Jeremy Doku became a father, welcoming a baby boy named Praise with his wife Shireen. He temporarily left the national team's FIFA World Cup camp in the USA to be present for the birth in London, a decision supported by the Belgian Football Association despite some public criticism.
Lamine Yamal exploded into view at 16 and became an integral part of Spain's record fourth European Championship triumph in 2024.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes a victory in the historic Lord's Test against England would be a 'very big moment' for her side, helping them regain confidence after their T20 World Cup exit and marking a landmark achievement in women's cricket.
Cabo Verde's World Cup dream ended in defeat, but their story had already become one of the tournament's defining moments. After the debutants stretched defending champions Argentina to extra time, football greats Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry saluted the tiny island nation for proving that belief can outweigh size and reputation.
After the US's win in the round of 32 fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which involved striker Flo Balogun being shown a red card and sent off after a tackle with an opponent, former US footballer Alexi Lalas questioned why Argentina superstar Lionel Messi escaped any notice
Shreyas Iyer has been named India's new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav signalling a new era for Indian T20I cricket.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur needs to stop thinking about the wickets falling around her and focus on playing her natural attacking game, believes former pacer Shikha Pandey, who says the batter can transform into a completely different player once she gets settled at the crease.
Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald backs the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, but admitted that Cricket Australia (CA) need to invest in their bodies to set the star pacers up for 2027.
Four-time champions Germany suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in a FIFA World Cup group stage match, marking a historic upset. This loss highlighted Germany's persistent defensive issues, as they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine World Cup games. Despite an early lead, Germany succumbed to Ecuador's determined comeback, which secured Ecuador's progression to the round of 32.
After a star turn at the ICC U-19 World Cup 2026, India star Vaibhav Suryavanshi shifts focus to Class 10 board exams, balancing cricketing glory with academics.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has been named LaLiga Player of the season, the Spanish league announced on Friday.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar's 2026 FIFA World Cup selection will depend on fitness and form rather than sentiment as he weighs a crucial squad decision ahead of Brazil's campaign.
Former India coach WV Raman says a fully fit Hardik Pandya could provide India the edge at the 2027 ODI World Cup, highlighting his all-round value while urging the team management to use the next 12-15 months to experiment with combinations and define player roles.
A versatile and dynamic Australian unit, without key pacer Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to miss the early stages of the tournament, will be going into the T20 World Cup with hopes of going deep in the tournament.
Ishan Kishan hopes his impressive run in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup will inspire young cricketers after finishing as India's second-highest run-scorer in the title-winning campaign.
Suryakumar Yadav says his famous catch to dismiss David Miller in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final changed his life as India created history by defending the title in 2026.
Shapath Bharadwaj leads the Indian contingent with a strong performance in the men's trap event at the ISSF World Cup for Shotgun, while Manisha Keer is the top Indian in the women's trap event.
Former India chief selector Kiran More compared Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to a young Sachin Tendulkar, calling the 15-year-old batting sensation a special talent destined to bring great glory to Indian cricket.
World Cup fever in Argentina, home of the defending champions, has boosted sales of counterfeit jerseys and soccer trading cards, sparking protests from retailers who are already under pressure from President Javier Milei's market-opening policies.
Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed he would sign Erling Haaland if elected, triggering a swift response from Manchester City and the player's representatives.
India begin their 2027 ODI World Cup preparations against Afghanistan with Rohit Sharma's fitness and Nitish Kumar Reddy's all-round abilities under scrutiny, while Shubman Gill continues to shape his leadership credentials.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar praised 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his record-breaking 175 powered India to the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup title.
Kapil Dev has urged patience with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his historic India call-up, while Madan Lal backed the teenage batting sensation to carry his IPL form onto the international stage.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's childhood coach Manish Ojha hailed the 15-year-old's historic India selection, saying the BCCI may have found the future 'poster boy' of Indian cricket after his record-breaking IPL season.
She has never been dismissed for below 25 by India in women's ODIs.
India U19 World Cup winners Ayush Mhatre and Udhav Mohan were given rousing welcomes at home after helping India clinch a record sixth world title in Zimbabwe.
Hussain stuck his neck out and suggested six-time champions Australia, tournament hosts England, reigning ICC Women's Cricket World Cup winners India and reigning title holders New Zealand would be the four teams most likely to reach the knockout stages.
Although the Joburg Super Kings player later came out to bat as stand-in captain, filling in for the injured Faf du Plessis, Ferreira faced just one delivery before retiring hurt due to discomfort.
Stand-in skipper Harry Manenti called it a dream come true as Italy secured their maiden T20 World Cup win with a dominant 10-wicket victory over Nepal.
Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul terms Hardik Pandya India's biggest threat ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 clash in Colombo but tips Pakistan to edge the high-pressure contest.
Last minute T20 World Cup entrants Scotland have included Afghan-born uncapped pacer Zainullah Ihsan in their 15-member squad for the ICC event beginning in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.
The cricketing world hailed India after their dominant 96-run win over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final, with legends praising the team's power-packed batting and Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance.
The powerful right-hander appeared in good touch at first drop against Australia in the opening T20I of their three-match series in Lahore on Thursday.
