Latest news with #KaleemSana
Toronto Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
DA COSTA: Will India let top Canadian cricketers into country in 2026?
Canada's Kaleem Sana prepares to bowl during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup cricket match in 2024. Photo by Adam Hunger / The Associated Press Cricket is nothing short of a religion in India. Millions of fans around the world set their eyes on the lucrative Indian Premier League every year as it draws the best cricketers from around the globe. The 10-team IPL churns out millionaires every year in a country where the population of a billion live and breathe two things — cricket and Bollywood, the country's answer to Hollywood. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Next year, though, IPL has to take a back seat to the World Twenty20 Cup that will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March. After the thrills and spills of this 20-team tournament that will also include Canada, the passionate fans will turn their attention from rooting for their country to cheering their provincial or city clubs. With its growing power on the international sporting scene, especially cricket, it appears India calls all the shots. One country that has felt the full brunt of India's clout has been Pakistan. Pakistani players featured in the IPL's inaugural season in 2008 and then later that year 10 insurgents from Pakistan stormed Mumbai and some 166 people lost their lives. Since then, Pakistanis have been blackballed by the IPL and the two national teams have not played a bilateral Test series. The only time they face each other is in International Cricket Council-organized tournaments such as the World Cups. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Canada cricket all-rounder Saad Bin Zafar. Photo by Cricket Canada / The Canadian Press Unfortunately, some of the countries competing in next year's World T20 Cup will find themselves targeted if they have any ties with Pakistan. Two of Canada's star players — all-rounder Saad Bin Zafar and fast bowler Kaleem Sana, both born in Pakistan — are expected to make their mark in the tournament in 2026 — that's if the Indian authorities allow them into the country. Making life difficult for Pakistani-born players isn't something new. In 2010, I brought it to the attention of then Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney that one of our top all-rounders Rizwan Cheema had not been granted a visa to play in the World Cup (50 overs) hosted by India. Kenney used his influence to get India to reverse its stand on Cheema. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Others who have had to clear hurdles before being granted visas included England's Saqib Mahmood, and in 2024 Test spinner Shoaib Bashir. The British government then intervened, but because of the red tape the spinner missed the first Test. 'We absolutely expect India to treat British citizens fairly at all times in its visa process,' said a British government communique. The other top-rated player who had a similar experience was Australia opening batsman Usman Khawaja, also because of his Pakistani heritage. Bin Zafar and Sana were in brilliant form with the ball in piloting Canada to the World Cup finals in the sub-continent after also impressing during Canada's first appearance in this version of the competition in the U.S. and the Caribbean in 2024 where Zafar earned the honour of captaining Canada. Sana is an experienced player, having played top-notch club cricket for Pakistan Customs and also representing Pakistan in the Under-19 World Cup. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It will be a dream come true to play the World Cup in India,' said Bin Zafar, 'since it is by far the biggest cricketing nation in the world. It will be an incredible feeling playing there.' But Bin Zafar is also aware his plans could be sidelined if the Indian authorities do not play ball. 'We have already instructed Cricket Canada to apply early for our visas so there aren't any hitches later,' he added. India also made headlines last week when it denied visas to the Pakistani field hockey team, who qualified to play in the 2025 Asia Cup in Rajgir, India, in August. India has heightened its cross-border relationship with its neighbour following a terrorist attack in April. India claims that 26 tourists were killed by Pakistani gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmir's Pahalgam town. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Take your hat off to the West Indies for not walking off the field in the first Test against visiting Australia at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. West Indies's skipper Roston Chase and coach Daren Sammy doubled down on their attack on third umpire Adrian Holdstock of South Africa after his decisions stunned the home team. Chase minced no words in a scathing attack that he and all those who watched the decisions on television were highly questionable. Australia won the Test by 159 runs thanks to a first-class spell by fast bowler Josh Hazlewood who took five wickets in the second innings. The decisions that left the home team fuming were the dismissals of Chase and Shai Hope. While Chase escaped punishment, coach Sammy was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for publicly criticizing Holdstock. 'It's frustrating because as players, when we mess up, when we get out of line, we're penalized harshly,' Chase said. 'But the officials, nothing ever happens to them. They just have a wrong decision or questionable decision, and life just goes on. You're talking about guys' careers. One bad decision could make or break a guy's career.' Despite the controversy, Holdstock will be umpiring the remaining two Tests. By right, he should have been back home on the next flight. Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Sports Money News MLB Relationships Editorial Cartoons
The Print
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Print
Canada qualify for men's T20 World Cup
'Seven more teams — two from Europe Qualifier (to be played from July 5-11, 2025), two from Africa Qualifier (to be played from September 19 to October 4) and three from Asia-EAP Qualifier (to be played from October 1-17) — will join the Men's T20 World Cup through the Regional Qualifiers,' said ICC in a statement. Thanks to their fifth successive victory in as many games, Canada, who had also featured in last year's men's T20 World Cup in the Americas, have joined defending champions India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand and Pakistan, in the 20-team event. Ontario (Canada), Jun 22 (PTI) The Canadian men's cricket team has qualified for next year's ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after defeating Bahamas by seven wickets in the Americas Qualifiers here. In their final game played at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground in King City here, Canada achieved the winning target of 57 in the sixth over. Electing to bowl first, Canada's pace-spin duo of Kaleem Sana (3/6) and Shivam Sharma (3/16) bundled out Bahamas in 19.5 overs. They then wrapped up the match in 5.3 overs, with Dilpreet Bajwa smashing an unbeaten 36 to seal a dominant win and World Cup qualification. The side led by Nicholas Kirton had started their campaign with a 110-run win against Bermuda, which was followed by a 59-run victory against Cayman Islands and a 10-wicket thrashing of Bahamas in the first round of games. In their second outing against Cayman Islands Canada scored another easy victory after putting together 82 runs on the board, and eventually winning the the rain-curtailed game by 42 runs. PTI AM AM AH AH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Canada cruise to T20 World Cup 2026
Canada have booked their place at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, following an emphatic victory over the Bahamas in the Americas Qualifier at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground on Saturday. Playing at home, Canada maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament, registering their fifth consecutive win to seal qualification. In a dominant display, bowlers Kaleem Sana and Shivam Sharma picked up three wickets each to bundle out the Bahamas for just 57 runs. Chasing the modest target, Canada wasted no time, racing to victory in only 5.3 overs. Dilpreet Bajwa starred with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 36 off just 14 deliveries to complete the rout. Led by Nicholas Kirton, Canada entered the regional qualifier as strong favourites, having competed in last year's T20 World Cup held in the USA and the Caribbean. They opened their campaign with a commanding 110-run win over Bermuda, followed by a 59-run victory against the Cayman Islands and a 10-wicket triumph over the Bahamas in the first round of fixtures. In their second encounter against the Cayman Islands, a rain-shortened five-over contest, Canada posted 82 runs and secured another convincing win by 42 runs. With this result, Canada join co-hosts India and Sri Lanka, along with Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, United States and West Indies who have already qualified for the expanded 20-team tournament. Seven more spots remain up for grabs through the remaining regional qualifiers two from Europe, five to 11 July 2025, two from Africa, 19 September to four October 2025 and three from the AsiaEast Asia Pacific Qualifier, one to 17 October 2025.
India Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Canada qualify for ICC men's T20 World Cup 2026 with dominant win over Bahamas
Canada have secured their place in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 after completing a resounding seven-wicket win over the Bahamas in the Americas Qualifier at King City. With this, the hosts notched up their fifth straight win in the regional tournament to confirm qualification for the global showpiece, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri to bowl first at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground, Canada's bowling unit delivered a ruthless performance, skittling out the Bahamas for just 57 runs in 19.5 overs. Kaleem Sana (3/6) and Shivam Sharma (3/16) led the charge with the ball, dismantling the opposition batting with pace and chase was little more than a formality, as Dilpreet Bajwa smashed an unbeaten 36 off just 14 balls to wrap up the target in only 5.3 overs. The win not only sealed qualification but also underscored Canada's dominance in the Americas Qualifiers. Canada, led by Nicholas Kirton, began their campaign with a 110-run hammering of Bermuda, followed by a 59-run win over Cayman Islands. They then dismantled the Bahamas in their first meeting with a 10-wicket win. A rain-affected second fixture against Cayman Islands saw Canada prevail comfortably by 42 runs before capping off their campaign with another convincing this victory, Canada have joined 13 other teams who have already secured their places in the 20-team event: hosts India and Sri Lanka, defending champions England, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, United States, and West to the ICC, the remaining seven spots will be filled through regional qualifiers—two from Europe (5-11 July 2025), two from Africa (19 September-4 October 2025), and three from the Asia-East Asia Pacific Qualifier (1-17 October 2025).Canada's return to the global stage continues their steady rise in T20 cricket, having also featured in the Americas leg of the previous edition. With a well-rounded squad and a string of commanding performances, they will look to make a strong impression in the 2026 edition of the Watch
Economic Times
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Economic Times
Canada qualify for 2026 ICC T20 World Cup after beating Bahamas in Americas Qualifiers
Canada's men's cricket team has qualified for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, after a dominant performance in the Americas Qualifiers. They secured their spot with an unbeaten run, culminating in a seven-wicket victory over the Bahamas. Canada joins cricket powerhouses like India and Australia in the upcoming tournament. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Canadian men's cricket team on Sunday secured its place for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka after a commanding seven-wicket win over the Bahamas in the Americas Qualifiers in Ontario. Canada chased down the modest target of 57 in just 5.3 overs at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground in King City, capping off an unbeaten run with five wins from five bowler Kaleem Sana (3/6) and spinner Shivam Sharma (3/16) dismantled the Bahamas for 56, before Dilpreet Bajwa 's unbeaten 36 sealed the by Nicholas Kirton , Canada started their campaign with a thumping 110-run win over Bermuda, followed by dominant wins over the Cayman Islands and Bahamas across both this result, Canada joins cricket heavyweights like India, Australia, England, and Pakistan in the tournament. According to the ICC, seven more teams will qualify through regional events in Europe, Africa, and the Asia-East Asia Pacific zones later this year.
