This is the most open T20 World Cup in history. The traditional powers are compromised. The new powers have gained strength, observes Faisal Shariff.
Spain captain Rodri has expressed his team's ambition and hunger ahead of the World Cup final against Argentina. He highlighted Spain's gradual growth and well-rounded team play, while acknowledging Argentina's competitive spirit and the formidable presence of Lionel Messi. Rodri anticipates a physical battle and draws inspiration from Spain's 2010 World Cup victory.
The 2026 World Cup will kick off-on June 11 with joint-hosts Mexico playing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium - iconic venue of the 1970 and 1986 finals - followed by South Korea against a play-off winner after the complex draw was made on Friday.
Anil Kumble praised West Indies' dominant 107-run win over Zimbabwe in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and said India must win big against Zimbabwe and West Indies to stay alive in the semi-final race.
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured India's first women's doubles medal at the Badminton World Championships in 15 years after defeating China's Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in a thrilling quarter-final match.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a spot in the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup despite finishing as runner-up in the Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Muscat, losing 2-4 to China in the final. The team had previously defeated Kazakhstan 8-1 in the semi-final.
Captain Oliver Peake scored a century as Australia beat the West Indies by 22 runs to book their spot in the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup.
This will be their first encounter after the controversy-filled the Asia Cup earlier this year, in which India refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players.
The wicketkeeper-batter has been retained by RCB alongside seasoned campaigners like Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry for the next year's competition, and planning is in full swing to get their hands on the elusive trophy.
The South Africans had only recently wiped away their reputation of being chokers. Finn Allen got them to choke again.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in a dramatic World Cup final after extra time, preventing Argentina from staging another of their characteristic comebacks. Lionel Messi, who had been instrumental in previous matches, was effectively neutralised by the Spanish defence, leaving Argentina without an answer and unable to register a shot on target for much of the game.
India's Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand staged a remarkable comeback victory in the women's doubles quarter-finals at the BWF World Championships 2026, defeating China's Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian to secure a semi-final spot and guarantee India a medal.
Harmanpreet Kaur overtook legendary Australian batter Belinda Clark for most runs across all ICC Women's ODI World Cup knock-out matches during the title clash against South Africa, at Navi Mumbai's D Y Patil stadium, on Sunday.
Group C promises one of the most competitive battles at the T20 World Cup, with former champions England and West Indies joined by ambitious sides Scotland, Nepal and debutants Italy.
The French and English sides, two of European football's most powerful and richest clubs, will compete for the honour of being the first champions of FIFA's expanded competition, created with the promise of revolutionising club football and as a glittering curtain-raiser for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on Thursday stressed that the decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India was taken by their government and is "not in our control."
The West Indies and South Africa, both undefeated, will battle in a Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup. The West Indies' powerful batting will be tested by South Africa's balanced bowling attack. The result could significantly impact India's chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Sanju Samson's majestic knock of 97 from 50 balls single-handedly powered India to a five-wicket win over West Indies to seal their spot in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
Anil Kumble has backed leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy to spearhead India's spin attack during next month's T20 World Cup as he believes he will have no issue dealing with the evening dew
With the threat of in-form off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin looming large, Australia captain Michael Clarke summoned Shane Warne to the team's nets on Wednesday, ahead of their ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final against India, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia will chase a record seventh Women's T20 World Cup title when they face unbeaten England at Lord's, with Nat Sciver-Brunt's side looking to end a 17-year wait for the trophy and halt Australia's dominance.
India hosts the event from a position of unprecedented strength with a string of titles under its belt.
Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi praised England's Harry Brook for his match-winning century in the T20 World Cup, acknowledging it as potentially the best innings of Brook's career. Afridi also discussed Pakistan's chances of reaching the semi-finals.
England has announced a 17-member T20I squad, including uncapped all-rounder James Coles, to face India in a five-match series starting next month.
Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed disappointment after their 2-0 World Cup quarter-final loss to France, acknowledging they faced a better team but stressing the need for self-criticism and progress despite leaving a 'good image'.
Captain Thomas Rew led the way with a splendid century to guide England to 277/7 against Australia in the first semi-final of the Under-19 World Cup.
The upcoming LaLiga season promises an intense battle as Barcelona defends its title against a revamped Real Madrid, led by returning manager Jose Mourinho, and a turbulent Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid has made significant signings and brought back Mourinho after two trophyless seasons, while Barcelona relies on continuity and its World Cup-winning core. Atletico Madrid faces pressure on manager Diego Simeone and a potential transfer saga involving Julian Alvarez, setting the stage for a dramatic season.
The second semi-final of the T20 World Cup between India and England achieved a record-breaking peak concurrency of 65.2 million viewers on JioHotstar, marking a new global benchmark in digital sports viewership, according to the ICC.
Meanwhile, Egypt and South Africa also took significant steps towards following the Atlas Lions, moving closer to featuring in the marquee event, which will be played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Spain cannot meet Argentina and France will not face England before the World Cup final - provided they win their groups - after FIFA on Tuesday announced the draw procedure.
The other venues for the eight-team tournament include Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam and Colombo.
India should only focus on winning their match T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Chennai on Thursday without worrying about the net run rate, says former all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the numbers before the first World Cup Semi-final between India and New Zealand.
David Miller smashed a brilliant half-century while Marco Jansen picked up four wickets as South Africa thrashed India by 76 runs in the ICC T20 World Cup Super 8s match.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj stressed the importance of adapting quickly to conditions as South Africa prepares for a crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 match against the West Indies.
'But looking at our current performance, I'm confident that a medal in the World Cup is not far off.'
England edged India by just four runs in a nerve-wracking finish to storm into the Women's World Cup semi-finals on Sunday night in Indore.
Argentina's President Javier Milei's government has issued a decree allowing the deportation of foreigners who incite hatred or violence against the country and its citizens, a move that comes amid criticism of the national football team's behaviour and political messaging during the recent FIFA World Cup.
It was a starry-starry evening in Miami and Kansas, as superstar Mohanlal, David Beckham and Mick Jagger watched the FIFA World Cup quarter-final matches from the stands on Saturday.
India will be overwhelming favourites against Afghanistan in the semi-final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup, in Harare, on Wednesday.
