The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced nominees for the Player of the Month awards for February 2026.

Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan, England all-rounder Will Jacks, and US fast bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk have been shortlisted for the men’s award.

In the women’s category, Pakistan’s Fatma Sana, Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samaraweera, and India’s Arundhati Reddy are in contention.

The ICC said the nominations recognise players who delivered outstanding performances during the February 2026 T20 World Cup.

Sahibzada Farhan

Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan earned a place on the list after an exceptional tournament with the bat.

He scored 383 runs, setting a new record for most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition, surpassing Virat Kohli’s 319 runs in 2014.

Farhan maintained a strike rate of 160.25 and an average of 76.60, hitting two centuries during the tournament — against Namibia and Sri Lanka — making him the first batter to score two hundreds in a single T20 World Cup edition.

Will Jacks

England all-rounder Will Jacks impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 194 runs at a strike rate of 173.21 and taking 11 wickets.

Jacks also became the first player to win Player of the Match four times in a single T20 World Cup edition.

Shadley van Schalkwyk

US fast bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk made a mark with the ball, taking 13 wickets during the tournament.

He claimed four wickets in the opening match against India and another four against Pakistan in the group stage, maintaining an economy rate of 7.76.

All three players were also named in the ICC Team of the Tournament, with van Schalkwyk listed as the 12th man.

Women’s Player of the Month nominees

The ICC also announced the shortlisted candidates for the Women’s Player of the Month award.

Pakistan captain Fatma Sana, Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samaraweera, and India’s Arundhati Reddy were selected.

Put into bat, India posted a commanding total of 255-5, powered by a 98-run opening stand between Sanju Samson, who scored 89 runs, and Abhishek Sharma, who made 52 runs. Samson hit eight sixes and five fours in his 46-ball innings. Number three, Ishan Kishan contributed 54 runs.

In response, New Zealand was restricted to 159 runs in 19 overs, falling short of the 256 runs needed to claim their maiden T20 World Cup. James Neesham took three wickets in a single over to slow India’s scoring towards the end of the innings.

The Black Caps have lost four previous ICC finals since 2015, including the 2025 Champions Trophy, 2021 T20 World Cup, and 2019 and 2015 ODI World Cups.

“We are consistent because we focus on our game, not the occasion,” said New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.

“We’re not favourites, but if we do the small things well as a team, we can put ourselves in a good position. I wouldn’t mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once.”

The final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with more than 90,000 fans expected.

New Zealand advanced after dominant wins over South Africa and England, highlighted by Finn Allen’s 33-ball century, the fastest in T20 World Cup history.

India, meanwhile, enter the final on the back of a semi-final against England and are chasing multiple milestones: becoming the first host to win a T20 World Cup, defending their title, and claiming a third championship.

Santner acknowledged the challenge of facing India’s star-studded lineup and Jasprit Bumrah, whom he called a “game-changer.”

“The way to slow them down is taking wickets and squeezing the middle overs. India will put us under pressure from the first to the 12th over,” he said.

Despite India’s semi-final concerns over Varun Chakaravarthy, Santner expects the hosts to be formidable.

New Zealand, who have never lost to India in T20 World Cups, will look to repeat history despite India’s recent 4-1 T20I series dominance at home.

“The mindset has to be the same as any other game, but in T20 cricket, it always comes down to a couple of key moments,” Santner said, emphasising New Zealand’s focus on controlling their own destiny in the final.

India are bidding to become ‌the first team to retain the T20 World Cup title and to achieve that, they will have to deal with not just a strong New Zealand XI but also the weight of expectation from ​a cricket‑mad nation of about 1.4 billion people.

Leading the team in the final of ​a home World Cup was a “special feeling”, and Suryakumar said they were ⁠looking forward to the challenge.

“There are nerves, butterflies in the stomach, but as I ​always say — if there’s no pressure, there’s no fun,” Suryakumar told reporters on Saturday.

“I’m very ​excited. All the boys and support staff, and I’m sure all of India is excited for tomorrow.”

More than 100,000 predominantly home fans are expected to fill the world’s largest cricket stadium, where Australia famously beat ​India in the final of the 50-overs World Cup three years ago.

Expectations are mounting ​again as India also try to become the first host to win a T20 World Cup.

Suryakumar said ‌they try ⁠not to talk about cricket, and the presence of “characters” like Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel keeps the dressing room atmosphere light.

“It’s very important to have such characters around, because when the situation is tight, you need someone to joke around in the bus and in ​the dressing room, to ​calm the dressing ⁠room,” said Suryakumar.

“We do not talk about cricket-intense situations because players, like Axar, Arshdeep, (Jasprit) Bumrah — all these people, they know what to do.

“We ​want to be very relaxed, be in the present, not think ​about what ⁠will happen in the final.”

Suryakumar said as captain, he had also resisted the temptation to be the ‘big brother’ in the dressing room and encouraged individuality.

“I feel a good team culture is ⁠very important. ​A happy team atmosphere is the key,” he added.

“Give ​them freedom, listen to their ideas as well about what they feel.

“I think it is very important to understand ​what everyone wants in the team.”

The match was played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where England captain Harry Brook won the toss and opted to field first.

Samson powers India to 253

Batting first, India posted a formidable 253 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Sanju Samson led the charge with a superb 89-run knock, capitalising after his catch was dropped when he was on 15.

He received solid support from Shivam Dube, who scored 43, and Ishan Kishan, who added 39. Captain Suryakumar Yadav made 11, while Hardik Pandya contributed 27 and Tilak Varma chipped in with 21 runs.

For England, Will Jacks and Adil Rashid claimed two wickets each.

Bethell’s century keeps England alive

Chasing 254, England’s experienced batters struggled to build partnerships. However, young batter Jacob Bethell produced a sensational counterattack.

Bethell smashed 105 runs off 48 balls, keeping England in contention until the closing stages. Despite his heroics, the two-time champions ultimately fell short as India defended the total.

Final showdown with New Zealand

India will now face the New Zealand in the tournament final.

New Zealand secured their place after defeating the South Africa in the first semi-final.

The T20 World Cup 2026 final is scheduled to be played on Sunday in Ahmedabad, where India will aim to become the first team to successfully retain the T20 World Cup title.

England reached the semi-finals after finishing at the top of their Super 8 group and remained unbeaten in that stage of the tournament.

India secured the second spot in Super 8 Group 1, with their only loss coming against South Africa.

Both teams are known for their aggressive approach in T20 cricket, and the match is expected to be closely contested.

England have performed well overall in the tournament, particularly in the Super 8 round.

However, some of their key players have struggled for consistent form, and their top order has not produced steady starts.

India will look to take advantage of this, although England’s batting depth means any batter who settles at the crease could put pressure on the bowlers.

India have also faced similar challenges.

Players such as Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have shown flashes of form but have not been consistent throughout the tournament.

With both sides featuring strong squads, the outcome may depend on how well the teams adapt to the conditions in Mumbai and execute their strategies during the match.

Chasing 170, the Black Caps raced to the target with just one wicket down, powered by a blistering century from Finn Allen, who struck 100 off 33 balls — the fastest century in T20 World Cup history.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner had earlier won the toss and elected to field.

South Africa posted 169 for eight in their 20 overs. Marco Jansen remained unbeaten on 55, while Dewald Brevis scored 34 and Tristan Stubbs added 29. Captain Aiden Markram made 18, Quinton de Kock 10 and David Miller six.

For New Zealand, Matt Henry, McConchie and Rachin Ravindra picked up two wickets each to restrict the Proteas.

In reply, Allen dominated the chase with a stunning display of power-hitting. He was well supported by Tim Seifert, who scored 58 as New Zealand completed the chase comfortably.

South Africa had entered the semi-final with a psychological edge, having beaten New Zealand in the group stage and holding a superior overall T20 World Cup record in head-to-head meetings.

However, New Zealand maintained their strong knockout pedigree against the Proteas in ICC tournaments.

The second semi-final between India and England will be played at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

The Proteas head into the knockout clash in formidable form, having won all seven of their matches in the tournament so far.

Runners-up in the previous edition, South Africa have claimed 15 victories in their last 16 T20 World Cup matches, strengthening their status as one of the favourites for the title.

However, Markram dismissed talk of favouritism ahead of the last-four encounter.

“With regards to being favourites or not, that’s all different people’s opinions,” he said on the eve of the match.

“For us as a team, we really just try to focus on putting good games of cricket together and playing that exciting brand that we’ve been trying to play over the last 18 months.”

He added that the team would not deviate from the formula that has brought them success so far.

“We are not trying to do anything different tomorrow. Keep hammering away at the things that we have done well and that have got us here.”

South Africa secured a seven-wicket win over New Zealand during the group stage in Ahmedabad, but Markram cautioned against reading too much into that result.

“I wish cricket were that easy. New Zealand are a quality team. They’ve proved that over many years now. It’s a completely fresh start tomorrow,” he said, describing the semi-final as an exciting opportunity for his side.

The match will be played at Eden Gardens, where South Africa have not featured in a T20 International before.

The Proteas played five of their seven matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad earlier in the tournament.

Despite the change in venue, Markram expressed confidence in his team’s ability to adapt to conditions.

“We have got a lot of good experience in the group. Quinny reads conditions really well from behind the stumps, and that makes a massive difference for us,” he said, referring to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

South Africa will be aiming to make a winning debut at Eden Gardens in the shortest format as they seek a place in the T20 World Cup final.

The Proteas are the tournament’s only unbeaten side and look a far more rounded T20 unit than the one that fell at the last hurdle in 2024. They beat New Zealand in the group stage and have earned the favourites’ tag that rested with defending champions India before the start of the tournament.

India face England in the other semi-final on Thursday.

“I’m glad that we’re favourites, because I’ve always felt that as a South African team you want to be able to play as a favourite,” head coach Shukri Conrad said, suggesting they were enjoying the spotlight.

Since surviving a double Super Over against Afghanistan, Aiden Markram’s side have not taken their foot off the pedal.

In Quinton de Kock, Markram and Ryan Rickelton field a top order capable of banking a powerplay head-start, with an explosive middle order offering little respite when the openers do not fire.

South Africa complements it with a varied bowling attack.

Kagiso Rabada’s hard, test-match lengths and Marco Jansen’s left‑arm bounce have cramped batters, while Lungi Ngidi’s change-ups have been a revelation across phases.

Left‑arm spinner Keshav Maharaj provides control if conditions grip, with Markram holding himself back for match‑ups.

Knockout stage challenge

South Africa has looked ominous so far, but the knockout stage brings its own challenge. Besides, New Zealand can be a tricky opponent.

New Zealand opener Finn Allen’s ultra-aggression is often the powerplay disruptor alongside a rotating partner - Devon Conway or Tim Seifert.

All-rounder Rachin Ravindra’s ability to change gears sets a platform for Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell to attack the back end.

Their pace attack does not have a settled look, though.

The Black Caps are likely to miss the services of fast bowler Matt Henry, who is back home on paternity leave. Jacob Duffy or Kyle Jamieson could replace him.

Their spin unit looks well covered, however.

Captain Mitchell Santner’s stump‑to‑stump trajectory is a key match‑up against de Kock and Markram, and Ish Sodhi’s leg-spin could trouble South Africa’s right‑hand middle.

“We faced them in Ahmedabad, which I think is a venue that they’ve grown pretty used to, given that they’ve spent a fair bit of time there,” New Zealand’s head coach Rob Walter said.

“The semi‑finals will be in a different venue. It will provide a different challenge.”

Playing at Eden Gardens, India successfully chased a challenging target of 196 runs in the final over, completing the tournament’s highest successful run chase so far and confirming their progression to the last four.

Batting first, West Indies posted a competitive 195 for 4, with Roston Chase scoring 40, while Jason Holder added 37 and captain Rovman Powell contributed 34 runs.

Holder and Powell accelerated late in the innings, adding 76 runs in an unbeaten partnership.

India’s chase began shakily after early wickets, but opener Sanju Samson anchored the innings with a match-winning unbeaten 97, striking four sixes and 12 boundaries to guide his side to 199 for 5 with four balls remaining.

The victory ended the West Indies’ campaign in the tournament and completed the semi-final lineup.

South Africa will face New Zealand in the first semi-final on March 4, while India are scheduled to take on England in the second semi-final on March 5 as they aim for a third consecutive appearance in a T20 World Cup final.

The 2024 runners-up chased down a target of 154 with 13 balls to spare to remain the only unbeaten side in this year’s 20-team tournament.

Having already qualified for the semi-finals, South Africa rested speedsters Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen and spinner Keshav Maharaj and still restricted Zimbabwe to 153-7 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza smashed 73 and returned to claim 3-29, but even his all-round brilliance was not enough to halt the South African juggernaut.

“Nice to get the win,” South Africa captain Aiden Markram said.

“It can be quite tricky when you change the team a bit.

“Obviously, with the bat, I’d have loved it to be more clinical, but probably not the worst thing that the middle order was put under a little bit of pressure and came through.”

South Africa began with George Linde’s left-arm spin following Raza’s decision to bat after winning the toss.

Zimbabwe’s top order struggled, but Raza counter-attacked spectacularly and raced to a 29-ball fifty.

Raza clobbered four sixes and eight fours in his 43-ball blitz before falling to Kwena Maphaka.

Clive Madande made 26 not out down the order, but Zimbabwe still settled for a below-par total.

Raza did not throw in the towel, however, and led Zimbabwe’s fightback with the ball.

Armed with the new ball, the off-spinner dismissed Quinton de Kock and rival captain Markram in successive overs to jolt South Africa out of any sense of complacency.

Ryan Rickelton smacked four sixes in his 31, but Zimbabwe struck just when a partnership was about to bloom.

Likewise, Dewald Brevis (42) threatened to run away with the game, but Raza returned to dismiss the batter to keep Zimbabwe alive in the contest.

Tristan Stubbs (21) and Linde (30) combined in an unbroken stand of 53 to guide South Africa to victory.

“I’ve never got a man-of-the-match (award) after losing a game, but I think I can hold my head high,” Raza said.

“We took a bit of beating in the previous two games, but with each beating came a valuable lesson.

“We have improved with every game that we have played. At least we now have a taste of what needs to be done for us to be a mid-table team.”

Batting first at Kandy, Pakistan piled up 212 for 8 after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field. The hosts replied with 207 for 6.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan led the charge with his second century of the tournament, reaching the landmark in 58 balls.

He added a record 176-run opening partnership with Fakhar Zaman, the highest opening stand in T20 World Cup history. Fakhar struck a rapid 84 off 42 deliveries.

In the chase, Abrar Ahmed spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling with 3 for 23, while Naseem Shah claimed one wicket.

Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Sri Lanka’s resistance came late. Captain Dasun Shanaka blasted an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls, sharing a brisk 61-run stand for the sixth wicket with Rathnayake, who made 58 off 37 with four fours and three sixes.

Kamil Mishara (26) and Charith Asalanka (25) were the only other batters to reach double figures.

Afridi held his nerve in the final over, successfully defending 28 despite conceding three sixes, to seal the win.

However, Pakistan were eliminated as they needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer to progress.

New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals from the group, while England had already qualified.

Sri Lanka were also knocked out.

The match will start at 6.30pm Pakistan time.

Pakistan are currently on one point in Group 2 and have a net run rate of -0.461.

After England defeated New Zealand, Pakistan were given a slim chance to qualify.

However, to move ahead of New Zealand on net run rate, Pakistan will need to beat Sri Lanka by more than 65 runs if batting first.

If chasing, they must reach the target in around 13 overs. The exact equation will depend on the first innings total.

So far in the tournament, Pakistan have not recorded a win of that scale.

Their batting has struggled to score quickly in the middle overs, and the team has lacked big finishes.

They will need a much stronger overall performance today.

Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, have already been eliminated from the tournament after losses to England and New Zealand in the Super Eight stage.

They will be playing only for pride in their final match.

If Pakistan manage to secure a big win, they could still qualify for the semi-finals.

Otherwise, their campaign in the tournament will come to an end.

To qualify, Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka by at least 64 runs if batting first, or chase the target within 13 overs if Sri Lanka bat first, to surpass New Zealand on net run rate and claim the last semi-final spot from Group Two.

The scenario opened after England defeated New Zealand by four wickets on Friday at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

New Zealand had set a target of 160 runs, posting 159 for seven in 20 overs, but England chased it down in the final over, losing four wickets, and now lead Group Two with six points, having already secured their semi-final berth.

Pakistan’s do-or-die challenge

Pakistan’s qualification depends entirely on their performance against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

Victory alone is insufficient, they must also achieve the required run margin to edge out New Zealand.

The game is effectively a knockout, with the Green Shirts needing both aggressive batting and tight bowling to keep their World Cup campaign alive.

The match is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. PST.

If Pakistan fails to meet the required margin, New Zealand will advance to the semi-finals with three points, ending Pakistan’s journey in the tournament.

Chasing a target of 160 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium, England reached 160 for six in the final over to secure victory in the Group Two encounter.

Earlier, New Zealand opted to bat first after winning the toss and posted 159 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

New Zealand post competitive total

Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen provided a strong start, adding 64 runs for the first wicket with aggressive stroke play in the early overs. Seifert scored 35 while Allen contributed 29 runs.

Glenn Phillips top-scored with 39 runs, while Rachin Ravindra made 11 before falling to Rehan Ahmed.

Mark Chapman added 15, Daryl Mitchell scored three, and captain Mitchell Santner remained unbeaten on nine. Cole McConchie’s 14 helped New Zealand push the total close to 160.

For England, Adil Rashid, Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed claimed two wickets each, while Liam Dawson picked up one to restrict the Black Caps.

Semi-final race wide open

The result has intensified the qualification battle in Group Two.

England had already secured a semi-final berth with earlier victories, but their win over New Zealand has reopened Pakistan’s path to the last four.

New Zealand remain on three points from two matches and now face qualification uncertainty, while Pakistan — with one point from two games — must defeat Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture in Pallekele.

If Pakistan win and finish with a superior net run rate compared to New Zealand, they could advance to the semi-finals.

The upcoming Pakistan-Sri Lanka match is therefore expected to decide the final group standings.

In the Group One clash played in Chennai, India, posted a tournament-high 256 for four after being sent in to bat. It was the highest total of the 2026 World Cup. Zimbabwe, chasing a daunting 257, managed 184 for six in their allotted 20 overs.

India’s batters set the tone from the outset with an aggressive approach. Sanju Samson scored 24, Abhishek Sharma struck 55, Ishan Kishan made 38, while captain Suryakumar Yadav added 33.

The late onslaught came from Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma, who dismantled the Zimbabwe bowling in the final overs.

Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls, while Tilak Varma remained not out on 44 from just 16 deliveries.

India maintained a run rate of 12.80 and plundered 80 runs in the last five overs without losing a wicket, hitting 17 sixes in the innings.

For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Maposa picked up one wicket each, but the bowling attack struggled to contain India’s power hitting.

In reply, Zimbabwe’s openers added 44 runs, but the chase quickly faltered under scoreboard pressure.

Opener Brian Bennett stood firm with a superb unbeaten 97, showing composure against the Indian attack.

Captain Sikandar Raza scored 31, while Madhevere contributed 20. The rest of the batting line-up failed to make an impact.

India’s bowlers kept control throughout. Arshdeep Singh claimed three wickets, while Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy took one apiece.

Hardik Pandya was named player of the match for his explosive all-round performance.

With the win, India stayed in contention for a semi-final place, while Zimbabwe were knocked out of the mega event. From Group One, South Africa have already qualified for the semi-finals.

The second semi-finalist from the group will be decided after Sunday’s clash between West Indies and India, with the winner progressing to the last four.

Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss in the 48th match of the tournament and elected to field first.

The event, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, has already witnessed four centuries — the most in any T20 World Cup edition.

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka scored a century against Australia, while Canada’s Yuvraj Samra registered a hundred against New Zealand.

Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan then scored a century against Namibia, setting a new benchmark with three centuries in one edition.

The record was further extended during the Super Eight stage when England captain Harry Brook struck a century against Pakistan, taking the tally to four.

Previously, no T20 World Cup edition had recorded more than two centuries. The inaugural 2007 tournament featured only one century, while none were scored in 2009.

Two centuries were recorded in 2010, one in 2012, and two each in the 2014 and 2016 editions.

The 2021 tournament saw one century, followed by two in 2022, while no centuries were scored in the 2024 edition.

The ongoing tournament has now surpassed all previous records, underlining a shift toward increasingly high-scoring contests in modern T20 cricket.

Electing to field first, South Africa quickly put the West Indies under pressure, reducing them to 83 runs for seven.

Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd staged a late revival, putting on a record eighth-wicket partnership of 89 runs.

Shepherd remained unbeaten on 52 runs, while Holder was run out for 49 runs in the final over, taking the West Indies total to 176 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

The partnership set a new record for the highest eighth-wicket stand by a full member nation in T20 Internationals, surpassing Scotland’s previous mark of 80 runs.

Lungi Ngidi led South Africa’s bowling with three wickets for 30 runs, while Kagiso Rabada and Corbin Bosch took two each.

Chasing 177 runs, South Africa’s batter dominated from the outset, scoring 69 runs without loss in the powerplay.

Quinton de Kock was the only wicket to fall, dismissed for 45, while captain Aiden Markram struck an unbeaten 82.

Ryan Rickleton remained 45 not out as the Proteas reached their target in the seventeenth over.

The victory keeps South Africa undefeated in the tournament and boosts their semi-final prospects.

West Indies, who defeated Zimbabwe in their previous game, will face India on Sunday for a chance to progress, while India takes on Zimbabwe later on Thursday.

The match is important for both teams as its outcome would help them secure a spot in the semi-finals.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 2:30pm in Ahmedabad, India.

While the West Indies are riding high after their dominant 107-run win over Zimbabwe earlier this week, they know they must secure a victory here to stay in contention, especially with their final Super Eight fixture against India looming on Sunday.

For South Africa, a win today would almost certainly put them in the semi-finals, barring an unlikely series of results.

The South African team come into the game following a solid win over India, where their middle-order batsmen played a key role in setting up a challenging total.

Both teams have been impressive with their aggressive approach to the game, and today’s match is expected to showcase plenty of fireworks.

Chasing a target of 169, Sri Lanka were restricted to 107 for 8 in their 20 overs in the Group 1 contest at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to field, Sri Lanka made early inroads but could not prevent New Zealand from posting 168 for 7.

The Kiwis began briskly before Sri Lanka struck back in the middle overs, reducing them to 86 for 6. Rachin Ravindra top-scored with 32, while Finn Allen made 23 and Glenn Phillips added 18. Tim Seifert (8), Daryl Mitchell (3) and Mark Chapman (0) failed to capitalise.

A decisive seventh-wicket stand between captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie changed the course of the innings. The pair added 84 runs off 48 balls, lifting New Zealand to a competitive total. Santner scored 47, while McConchie remained unbeaten on 31.

For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera took three wickets each, while Dunith Wellalage claimed one.

In reply, Sri Lanka never recovered from early setbacks and lost wickets at regular intervals. They finished well short of the target, exiting the tournament with the defeat.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka had made one change to the side, bringing in Charith Asalanka in place of Kamil Mishara.

The result significantly strengthens New Zealand’s push for a semi-final berth, while Sri Lanka bow out of the mega event and Pakistan’s qualification scenario becomes more difficult.

In the Super Eight clash in Colombo, New Zealand posted 168 for 7 before restricting Sri Lanka to 107 for 8, sealing a dominant win and significantly boosting their net run rate to +3.05.

Pakistan’s net run rate currently stands at -0.46.

With England already qualified from the group, the remaining semi-final spot hinges on the final round of matches.

New Zealand will face England on Friday, while Pakistan take on Sri Lanka on Saturday.

For Pakistan to stay in contention, England must defeat New Zealand.

Even then, Pakistan would need a comprehensive win over Sri Lanka to overhaul the net run rate deficit.

If New Zealand beat England, Pakistan will be eliminated before playing their final group match.

Sri Lanka, after back-to-back defeats to England and New Zealand, are out of the semi-final race.

The result has further complicated Pakistan’s qualification scenario, leaving their fate dependent on both results and a significant improvement in net run rate.

Sri Lanka, co-hosts of the tournament, enter the contest in “win-or-bust” territory after a disappointing Super Eight opener.

The home side’s batting, which had shown promise earlier in the event, faltered in a heavy loss to England, exposing persistent inconsistencies at the top of the order.

The Black Caps hold a superior overall head-to-head record in T20 internationals against Sri Lanka and arrive with confidence in their balanced batting unit built around the likes of Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips.

Sri Lanka must overturn recent batting frailties to stay alive in the tournament, while New Zealand will look to exploit those weaknesses and gain the upper hand in the group standings.

Sri Lanka’s squad:

Captain Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dushan Hemantha, Janith Liyanage, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Pramod Madushan, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage.

New Zealand’s squad:

Captain Mitchell Santner, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Philips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.

Fans will be able to secure seats for the first semi-final on March 4, the second semi-final on 5 March and the final on March 8, said a press release.

The semifinal 1 remains a floating venue arrangement with the match to be held either at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo or the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, while semifinal 2 will take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

If Pakistan qualify for the semifinals, they will play in semifinal 1 in Colombo on March 4.

If Pakistan do not qualify for the semifinals, but Sri Lanka qualify and play anyone other than India, then Sri Lanka will play in semifinal 1 in Colombo.

If neither of those applies, or if India are drawn against Sri Lanka, then semifinal 1 will be played in Kolkata on the same date.

If Pakistan reach the final it will be played in Colombo; otherwise it will be played in Ahmedabad.

Should tickets be purchased for a venue that doesn’t end up hosting either semifinal 1 or the final, these will be refunded to the ticket-holder.

In the fifth Super 8 match at Pallekele Stadium in Sri Lanka, Pakistan posted 164 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

England chased down the 165-run target in the final over, finishing at 165 for 8 to seal a dramatic win.

Pakistan post 164 despite Farhan half-century

After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha opted to bat first, saying the pitch looked fresh and suitable for setting a defendable total.

Pakistan’s innings began on a shaky note. Opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for 7 with the score at 14, while captain Salman Ali Agha fell for 5 at 27.

Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan then steadied the innings with a responsible 46-run partnership for the third wicket, taking the total to 73 before Babar was bowled for 25.

Farhan anchored the innings, scoring a composed 63 off 7 fours and 2 sixes. He added 49 runs with Fakhar Zaman for the fourth wicket to push Pakistan to 122. Fakhar contributed 25 before departing at 132.

Late wickets slowed Pakistan’s momentum. Usman Khan (8) and Mohammad Nawaz (0) fell in quick succession, while Shaheen Shah Afridi was caught on the boundary for 2. Shadab Khan provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 23 off 11 balls, guiding Pakistan to 164 for 8. Salman Mirza remained not out on 2.

For England, Liam Dawson claimed three wickets, while Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton picked up two each. Adil Rashid took one wicket.

England hold nerve in tense chase

England, unchanged from their previous match, approached the chase with confidence at a venue where they have enjoyed recent success.

Captain Harry Brook said before the match that his side would also have opted to bat first and expressed hope of producing their best performance to confirm a semifinal berth.

Despite pressure from Pakistan’s bowlers, England kept the required rate within reach and crossed the line in the 20th over with eight wickets down, sealing qualification for the last four.

Semifinal race tightens

Pakistan had entered the contest with one point after their Super 8 opener against New Zealand was washed out.

England, with two points and a strong net run rate of +2.55, strengthened their position with this victory.

Historically, England have dominated Pakistan in T20 World Cups, winning all previous encounters.

Pakistan last defeated England in a T20 International four years ago, while England had also won the previous five T20Is between the sides.

With this defeat, Pakistan’s chances of progressing to the semifinals now depend on other results and net run rate calculations, leaving their campaign hanging in the balance.

The Green Shirts must win their final Super Eight Group 2 match against Sri Lanka on February 28 to stay in contention.

Alongside a must-win result, Pakistan also require New Zealand to lose both of their remaining matches against England and Sri Lanka to qualify outright for the semifinals.

If these results go Pakistan’s way, the Green Shirts will finish the group stage with three points and progress to the last four.

In that scenario, New Zealand would end on zero points, while Sri Lanka would collect two.

However, the equation becomes more complex if England defeat New Zealand but New Zealand manage to beat Sri Lanka.

In that case, both Pakistan and New Zealand would finish level on three points, and the semifinal spot would be decided on net run rate.

At present, England lead Group 2 with four points from two matches and have already secured a place in the semifinals.

Pakistan and New Zealand each have one point, while Sri Lanka are yet to open their account.

With only one match remaining for Pakistan, the final round of Group 2 fixtures will be decisive, as the Green Shirts look to keep their World Cup campaign alive amid mounting pressure.

Earlier, England defeated Pakistan by two wickets in a nail-biting Super 8 Group 2 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, securing a place in the semifinals.

In the fifth Super 8 match at Pallekele Stadium in Sri Lanka, Pakistan posted 164 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

England chased down the 165-run target in the final over, finishing at 165 for 8 to seal a dramatic win.

The Pakistani players attended a practice session at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday, focusing on batting and bowling drills under the guidance of coaches.

The players were also engaged in physical exercises and fielding drills during the practice session.

The Green Shirts must defeat England to strengthen their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the tournament.

Pakistan’s previous match against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain, with both teams awarded one point each.

On the other hand, England secured a comprehensive 51-run victory over hosts Sri Lanka in their last outing.

Pakistan currently has just one point from one match, while England not only has two points but also boasts a positive net run rate of 2.55.

The Pakistan vs England match will start at 6.30pm Pakistan time.

Ahead of the match, Pakistan players emphasised the importance of staying focused and showing their best against top-level opposition.

“The Super Eight is a different challenge,” said a senior Pakistan player.

“We know England are strong, but we have the skills and confidence to take control. We just need to execute our plans and play our game.”

The match, set to be played in Pallekele, carries high stakes for both sides.

England, who opened their Super Eight campaign with a 51-run win over Sri Lanka, are hoping to build on home-ground familiarity, having swept a recent bilateral series at the same venue.

England skipper Jos Buttler and Harry Brook have acknowledged that the team is still looking for a perfect performance, while Pakistan have yet to find consistency against the tournament’s stronger opponents.

Pakistan began their Super Eight with a washout against New Zealand, leaving their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Earlier in the tournament, they had a scare against the Netherlands but bounced back with wins against the USA and Namibia, though they suffered a 61-run defeat to India.

While England rely on the all-round performances of Will Jacks, Pakistan will look to tournament-leading run-scorer Sahibzada Farhan to anchor their innings.

However, concerns remain over Babar Azam’s lagging strike rate and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s wicket-taking form.

With Pakistan moving away from Colombo for the first time in the campaign, quick adaptation to the new conditions could be key to their survival in the tournament.

In the 44th match of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium, West Indies piled up 254 for six in 20 overs after being put in to bat.

Zimbabwe, chasing 255, were bowled out for 147 in the 18th over.

Batting blitz sets up victory

West Indies lost two early wickets at 54 in the power play but quickly shifted momentum with an aggressive counterattack.

Shimron Hetmyer smashed 85 off 34 balls, striking seven sixes and seven fours. He shared a 122-run third-wicket stand with Rovman Powell, who made 59 off 35 deliveries.

Sherfane Rutherford remained unbeaten on 31 off 13 balls, while Romario Shepherd added 21 from 10. Jason Holder scored 13 off four balls.

Captain Shai Hope made 14, and Brandon King scored nine. The innings included 21 extras and featured 19 sixes and 16 fours, with 75 runs coming in the final five overs.

For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani claimed two wickets each, while Graeme Cremer and Brad Evans took one apiece. Captain Sikandar Raza conceded 52 runs in three overs without a wicket.

Zimbabwe had earlier opted to field after winning the toss.

In the same group, South Africa defeated India a day earlier.

The match, played on Monday at Wankhede Stadium, saw Zimbabwe win the toss and opt to field — a decision that proved costly.

West Indies unleashed a six-hitting onslaught, posting 254 for 6 in their 20 overs to set a daunting target of 255.

It stands as the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history.

The highest World Cup total remains Sri Lanka’s 260 against Kenya in the inaugural 2007 edition.

Overall, the third-highest T20I target was Ireland’s 235 for 5 against Oman in the ongoing tournament, while England had chased 229 against South Africa in the 2016 World Cup after scoring 230 for 8.

Aggressive batter Shimron Hetmyer led the charge with a blistering 85 off 34 balls, smashing seven sixes and seven fours. He reached his half-century in just 19 deliveries, equalling the World Cup record for fastest fifty jointly held by Aiden Markram and PathuThe m Nissanka.

Hetmyer’s effort also became the fastest T20 World Cup fifty by a West Indies batter, surpassing Chris Gayle’s 23-ball half-century against Australia in 2009. He also bettered his own previous best of a 22-ball fifty against Scotland.

Captain Rovman Powell contributed 59 runs and brought up his half-century in 29 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford added a valuable 31.

The fastest half-century in T20I history remains with India’s Yuvraj Singh, who reached the mark in 12 balls against England in the 2007 World Cup.

West Indies struck 19 sixes and 16 fours, equalling the record for most sixes in a T20 World Cup innings, previously set by the Netherlands against Ireland in 2014.

In the T20 World Cup 2026 so far, West Indies have hit 55 sixes, while the tournament-wide six count has climbed to 553.

Evans became the first bowler in T20 history to take at least one wicket in 28 consecutive innings, surpassing the previous record of 27.

The milestone was achieved during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eight match when Evans dismissed West Indies captain Shai Hope.

Earlier, the record was jointly held by Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga and Ireland’s Mark Adair, who had taken wickets in 27 successive T20 innings.

Evans’ record, however, faces a potential challenge from Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq, who has already claimed wickets in 25 consecutive T20 innings.

“Everyone in batting will have to take responsibility. It’s not that the openers have done nothing, so they should surrender. Hopefully, we will give England a tough time,” Farhan said.

Farhan added that there was no problem in facing England pacer Jofra Archer and said Pakistan would rely on their spinners to challenge the English side.