Latest news with #T20WorldCup2026
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Explained: Why India Can't Withdraw From Asia Cup 2025 Fixture Against Pakistan – BCCI's Hands Tied
photoDetails english 2937864 The India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September 14, has sparked massive political backlash amid rising Indo-Pak tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. Despite opposition from political leaders and civil society, the BCCI confirmed India's participation, citing binding commitments made during the ACC meeting. The match, part of the T20-format tournament hosted in the UAE from September 9, could see up to three high-voltage Indo-Pak clashes. With fans eagerly awaiting the showdown, this fixture has become a focal point of sports diplomacy, national sentiment, and geopolitical debate. Updated:Jul 28, 2025, 07:00 AM IST 1. India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Clash Confirmed for September 14 1 / 11 Despite political tensions, India will face Pakistan on September 14, confirmed by the BCCI after the ACC meeting. This high-stakes match is a must-watch Sunday showdown in Group A. 2. BCCI Cannot Pull Out—Locked by Official Agreements 2 / 11 The BCCI's participation is non-negotiable as per ACC commitments. As the host nation, India cannot withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 group stage match, even amidst escalating diplomatic unrest. 3. Tensions High After Pahalgam Terror Attack 3 / 11 The match's announcement came just months after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where 26 were killed. The backdrop of terror has turned this cricket match into a political lightning rod. 4. Opposition Leaders Slam BCCI Over 'Profit Before Patriotism' 4 / 11 Top leaders like Priyanka Chaturvedi and Sukhdeo Bhagat have publicly criticized the match, accusing BCCI of prioritizing money over national pride and undermining the sentiments of Indian armed forces. 5. BCCI Maintains Silence Amid Public Outrage 5 / 11 While criticism mounts, the BCCI has not issued any formal statement on the matter. This silence has sparked further anger across political and civilian circles, demanding transparency and accountability. 6. Asia Cup 2025: A Trial Run for T20 World Cup 2026 6 / 11 This year's T20 format Asia Cup serves as a key preparatory ground for the T20 World Cup 2026, adding more weight to every fixture, especially India vs Pakistan encounters. 7. Chances of 3 India vs Pakistan Matches in One Tournament 7 / 11 With both sides expected to reach the Super Four, fans could witness up to three Indo-Pak clashes, including a potential blockbuster final—making this Asia Cup one of the most thrilling ever. 8. Kargil Vijay Diwas Announcement Fuels Symbolic Debate 8 / 11 The Asia Cup schedule was released on Kargil Vijay Diwas, commemorating India's victory over Pakistan in 1999. This symbolic overlap has deepened the patriotic and political divide. 9. India Skipped Legends Match, Yet Will Play Pakistan Now 9 / 11 India Champions boycotted the World Championship of Legends tie vs Pakistan in England, but the national team will still play in Asia Cup 2025—raising questions about inconsistent sports diplomacy. 10. Mohammad Azharuddin Weighs In on Bilateral vs Multilateral Debate 10 / 11 Ex-captain Azharuddin said, 'No bilateral ties should mean no multilateral games either.' His stance reflects growing support for a uniform policy on Indo-Pak cricket amid ongoing tensions. 11 / 11
Mint
5 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
India's tour of England 2026: BCCI announces men's & women's fixtures
India will tour England for a eight-match white-ball series in 2026, the fixtures of which were announced on Thursday by the BCCI. India will play five T20Is and three ODIs. The tour starts with the T20I series, starting July 1 and will end with the ODIs, with the final game to be played on July 19. Led by Shubman Gill, India are currently in England, playing a five-match Test series. The visitors have already lost two of the first three games with their only win coming in Birmingham. Not just men, their women counterparts will also travel to the United Kingdom in May-June on either side of the T20 World Cup 2026. The Indian women's team will play three T20Is and a one-off Test. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women's team recently capped off their successful tour of England by winning both the T20I and ODI series. While the Women in Blue won the T20Is 3-2, they defeated England 2-1 in the ODI series. Match Time (IST) Date Venue 1st T20I 11 PM July 1 Banks Homes Riverside, Durham 2nd T20I 7 PM July 4 Old Trafford, Manchester 3rd T20I 11 PM July 7 Trent Bridge, Nottingham 4th T20I 11 PM July 9 Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol 5th T20I 11 PM July 11 Utilita Bowl, Southampton 1st ODI 5:30 PM July 14 Edgbaston, Birmingham 2nd ODI 5:30 PM July 16 Sophia Gardens, Cardiff 3rd ODI 3:30 PM July 19 Lord's, London Match Time (IST) Date Venue 1st WODI 11 PM May 28 Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford 2nd WODI TBD May 30 Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol 3rd WODI 11 PM June 2 The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton One-off WTest 3:30 PM July 10 Lord's, London
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
BAN vs PAK: New-look Pakistan and Bangladesh face off in T20 series
Pakistan captain Salman Agha is confident his new-look side is shaping up well towards next year's World Cup as it takes on Bangladesh in a T20 series starting in Dhaka from Sunday. Agha has been leading the short format side with star batter Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan out since last year. Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has been rested for the three-match series and seam bowlers Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim are also missing because of injuries. Agha said the missing players could still be considered for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. 'We have changed the way we want to play but we are confident of our build-up and direction,' said Agha on Saturday. 'We are going for this series with ample preparations as Bangladesh can be a challenging team in their home conditions.' New Zealander Mike Hesson is Pakistan's new white-ball coach. His first assignment was a 3-0 series win at home against Bangladesh 3-0 last month. Also read | Which teams have qualified for T20 World Cup 2026? With leg-spinner Shadab Khan also injured, Pakistan has picked two uncapped fast bowlers in Salman Mirza and Ahmed Daniyal. Bangladesh won a T20 series 2-1 in Sri Lanka last week. 'What happened in Sri Lanka is in the past,' said captain Litton Das. 'We have to face a new challenge starting tomorrow. We are ready for this challenge. 'We have the mentality to beat any team, but we have to play well on the particular day and not entirely bank on home conditions.' Bangladesh has kept the same squad that went to Sri Lanka The second and third matches are on Tuesday and Thursday, also in Dhaka. Related Topics Pakistan / Bangladesh
NDTV
18-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"I Definitely Fit That Mould": Contracted England Star Eyes Test Comeback
Experienced wicketkeeper batter Jonny Bairstow is still hopeful for a call-up to the England side despite being ignored for the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and radio silence from the selectors. It has been more than a year since Bairstow last donned the England jersey. His previous outing ended on a bitter note, considering he was dismissed for a three-ball duck as England's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign came to a semi-final heartbreak defeat against India. Last year, the 35-year-old was axed from the Test side as part of a shuffle and revamp of the red-ball squad. England was forced to consider making a couple of changes after being humbled by India in a 4-1 series defeat. After making his 100th Test appearance in Dharamshala, he disappeared from the scene. England overlooked Bairstow and considered alternative wicketkeeping prospects. Bairstow's situation remains peculiar, considering he is positioned low in the pecking order despite being centrally contracted, a contract that will expire this October. With no signs suggesting Bairstow being a part of head coach Brendon McCullum's plans, the seasoned star remains adamant about his return. With the T20 World Cup 2026 in sight, England's new white-ball captain, Harry Brook, is in the hunt for players who can take on the world's best bowlers, and Bairstow believes he fits the bill. "I am still contracted. I haven't heard too much from them, if anything, to be honest with you, but that's the part and parcel of it. Brooky (Harry Brook) came out and said that he wanted certain type of players who can take down the best bowlers in the world, and I definitely fit that mould and have done for a long period of time," Bairstow told Sky Sports. "So, from a fitness point of view, I have not missed a game since coming back from my ankle injury, which could have been a lot more treacherous than it has been. I am really pleased to be spending a lot of time out on the field, even with the County Championship stuff and then going into the Hundred. From a robustness point of view, I am definitely knocking about. The other bits here, the leadership side of it, have thrown at different challenges," he concluded. In the ongoing Vitality Blast Men 2025, Bairstow has hammered 177 runs in seven appearances for Yorkshire at 25.28 while striking impressively at 165.42. The seasoned star has enjoyed a more prolific run in the County Championship with Yorkshire, garnering 595 runs at 49.58 and hammering nine sixes, the most by a batter in the top 20 run-scorers.
India.com
16-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Brian Lara Slams At West Indies Board Following Nicholas Poorans Retirement And The Downfall Of WI Cricket
Brian Lara noted that players like Nicholas Pooran are retiring early to play in various global leagues, where they can earn more money. Lara felt that this was a result of the West Indies Cricket Board's failure to incentivise players to remain loyal to West Indies cricket, contrasting it with the efforts of boards in countries like England, Australia, and India. "You have a lot of guys who are deciding on what to do with their careers. You have your aggressive players like Pooran, who retired at 29. And honestly, it's pretty clear why they did. There are five or six leagues around the world, and they're able to make a substantial amount of money playing in them," Brian Lara said on the 'Stick to Cricket' podcast hosted by former England players Phil Tuffnell, David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, and Alastair Cook. "I have no problem with that. The truth is, I don't think the West Indies Cricket Board or the administration has done anything meaningful to keep players loyal to West Indies cricket, unlike what boards in countries like England, Australia, or even India have done," he added "So naturally, our players are going to look elsewhere. And when you see players like Kane Williamson or even South Africans making similar choices, you understand that these guys are just trying to provide for their families." Pooran surprised the world by announcing his retirement from international cricket at the age of 29 last month. The 29-year-old, who recently dazzled in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Lucknow Super Giants with explosive performances, described retiring from the international circuit as "difficult". With over eight months left before the T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off in India and Sri Lanka, Pooran's decision serves as a massive setback for the 2016 winners. Since bursting onto the international scene in 2016, Pooran featured in 106 T20Is and 61 ODIs, garnering more than 4,258 runs across both formats. He mustered up 2,275 in the shortest format of cricket, averaging 26.14 at 136.39. While in the 50-over cricket, he tallied 1,983 runs at 39.66 while maintaining a strike rate of 99.15, laced with three centuries and 11 fifties.
