Australia launched their Twenty20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 67-run victory over Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday, powered by four-wicket hauls from Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of their opening T20 World Cup match against Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday after being struck in the groin during training, with Steve Smith jetting in as cover.

South Africa beat Afghanistan in a double super over thriller at the 2026 T20 World Cup after the group match ended in a tie in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Prolific Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has been hospitalised with an upset stomach ahead of the group match against Namibia at the T20 World Cup, a cricket board official said Wednesday.

The Group A win was a boost for Pakistan before Sunday's high-octane clash with the defending champions in Colombo, now back on after the Islamabad government called off a boycott 24 hours previously.

No sanctions and the promise of hosting an ICC event -- Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul on Monday was thrilled with the outcomes of his “unbelievably successful” trip to Lahore, but not everyone shared his enthusiasm.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said on Tuesday that the decision not to travel to India for the ongoing 10th edition of the T20 World Cup, also being co-hosted by Sri Lanka, was made by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the cricketers.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan hit a solid half-century while spinner Usman Tariq grabbed three wickets as Pakistan downed the United States by 32 runs in a T20 World Cup Group A game in Colombo on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 owing to a hamstring injury.

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel on Tuesday called for cricketing powers India, England and Australia to tour his country to play a T20 series.

Senior England player Jos Buttler on Tuesday backed under-fire Brendon McCullum, saying the New Zealander was "as sharp a coach as I've ever worked with".

India said Tuesday it would be "a challenge" to face a "quality" Pakistan team in Colombo after Islamabad U-turned and decided to play the blockbuster T20 World Cup clash.

Chasing the UAE's 173-6, Seifert struck an unbeaten 89 and Allen scored 84 not out as they pummelled the UAE bowling to all parts of the ground in an unbroken opening stand.

Bas de Leede scored an unbeaten 72 and took two wickets as the Netherlands hammered Namibia by seven wickets for their first win at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday.

Captain Mitchell Marsh backed his Australia players to "get the job done" as they launch their T20 World Cup title charge against Ireland on Wednesday following a torrid build-up.

Pakistan's decision to U-turn and go ahead with their blockbuster Group A match against India at the T20 World Cup on February 15 was hailed Tuesday as an outbreak of "good sense" and "good for cricket".

The four-legged robots are designed to enter dangerous areas and broadcast live video back to security forces, who can watch before taking action during the football tournament.

The loss would have included damages related to broadcasters, gate receipts, and sponsorships. A source stated that the cumulative financial impact of a boycott would have been around $174 million (approximately Tk 19,140 crore).

"In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan national team to take the field against India," Sharif posted on X.

The outcome of the tripartite discussions between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Lahore on Sunday is yet to be officially disclosed, but speculation over it have run amok yesterday, completely overshadowing Pakistan’s bid for revenge against the USA in an ICC T20 World Cup match today.