West Indies’ captain Shai Hope, right, pats on the shoulder of Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel after the coin toss during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Nepal and West Indies
| Photo Credit: AP

England’s Jos Buttler (AP Photo)

Jos Buttler etched his name into the record books on Saturday, becoming the first wicketkeeper-batter in history — and the quickest overall in terms of balls faced — to reach 4,000 runs in T20 Internationals. The England star achieved the landmark in just 2,670 deliveries, surpassing the previous benchmark held by Rohit Sharma.The milestone came during England’s Group C clash against Scotland in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Kolkata. Needing only three runs to get to the mark while chasing 153, Buttler reached 4,000 on the fourth ball of the second over. The occasion was doubly special as it also marked his 150th T20I appearance for England, making him the only English player — and one of just five worldwide — to feature in 150 or more matches in the format.His stay, however, was brief. Soon after reaching the landmark, Buttler was dismissed for three off four balls, chipping a catch to Brandon McMullen off Brad Currie.Buttler is only the fourth cricketer to breach the 4,000-run barrier in T20Is, joining Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Babar Azam. Kohli was the first to achieve the feat, getting there during the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Adelaide Oval.Since making his T20I debut against India in 2011, Buttler has amassed over 4,000 runs at an average above 35 and a strike rate of 148. His tally includes 28 fifties and a highest score of 101. Notably, he remains the only designated wicketkeeper in T20I history to cross the 4,000-run mark.A former England captain, Buttler stands comfortably as his nation’s leading run-scorer in T20Is, well ahead of Eoin Morgan, who accumulated 2,458 runs in 115 matches. Widely regarded as one of England’s finest white-ball players, Buttler is also a prized asset in T20 leagues around the world.

Blessing Muzarabani of Zimbabwe celebrates the wicket of Tim David of Australia. (Getty Images)

Zimbabwe produced one of the biggest surprises of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, defeating injury-hit Australia by 23 runs in a gripping Group B clash on Friday. It marked only the second time the African side has toppled the former champions in this format, reviving memories of their famous 2007 triumph. Built on a calm batting effort and a ruthless bowling display, Zimbabwe’s collective performance outclassed a side that never truly recovered from an early collapse.SCORECARD: Australia vs Zimbabwe, T20 World CupAfter being asked to bat, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 169 for two on a sluggish surface, with opener Brian Bennett anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 64. Australia’s chase faltered almost immediately, and despite resistance from the middle order, they were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs, handing Zimbabwe a famous victory that has thrown Group B wide open.

The big talking points of the thrilling match at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo:Early collapse sets the toneAustralia’s pursuit of 170 turned disastrous within the Powerplay as four wickets fell for just 29 runs. The dismissals of Travis Head, Cameron Green and Tim David left the batting line-up under immense pressure, forcing them into a rebuilding mode on a pitch that offered assistance to disciplined bowling. Zimbabwe’s seamers kept things tight, refusing to allow boundaries during crucial phases and ensuring the asking rate climbed steadily.Bennett leads a smart batting blueprintZimbabwe’s innings was built on patience rather than brute force. Bennett’s composed knock, featuring seven boundaries, allowed partners to rotate strike and keep the scoreboard ticking. Tadiwanashe Marumani’s brisk 35 and a late flourish from skipper Sikandar Raza ensured the side crossed the 160-mark, which proved more than enough on a slow track. Even though the death overs were controlled well by Australia, Zimbabwe’s measured approach had already laid a winning platform.Muzarabani’s fiery spell breaks Australia’s backboneThe defining phase of the match came with the ball, as Blessing Muzarabani produced a sensational spell of pace and accuracy, returning figures of 4/17. Supported by Brad Evans and Wellington Masakadza, Zimbabwe maintained relentless pressure. Each breakthrough halted Australia’s momentum just as they threatened a comeback, turning the chase into a battle against both the scoreboard and disciplined bowling.Maxwell–Renshaw stand sparks hope, but Burl delivers the blowAustralia briefly revived their chances through a 77-run partnership between Matt Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell. Their stand steadied the innings and brought the equation down to a manageable rate before Ryan Burl struck a decisive blow, dismissing Maxwell and triggering another collapse. A stunning boundary catch from Bennett and sharp fielding in the closing overs sealed Zimbabwe’s dominance, with a dramatic run-out of Matthew Kuhnemann ending the contest.

Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett plays a shot during the ICC T20 World Cup match against Australia in Colombo on February 13, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has dismissed allegations of adulteration and unhygienic practices involving soft drinks sold at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during a recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match.In a statement released on Thursday, the DDCA responded to claims made in a video circulating on social media that appeared to show a vendor pouring a cold drink back into bottles. The association said the action was part of agreed commercial arrangements and operational standards, adding that the bottles were later disposed of “responsibly in line with established environmental and operational guidelines”.

Addressing the viral clip, which surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) after Tuesday’s match between the Netherlands and Namibia, the DDCA said, “We have come across a video circulating on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), alleging that a vendor was seen pouring cold drinks back into bottles during a recent match.”The DDCA clarified that the activity was carried out by the stadium’s authorised concessionaire and complied with event guidelines.“In this regard, it is clarified that pouring is undertaken by the authorised concessionaire for the stadium, in line with the event guidelines. The concessionaire was serving Coca-Cola products in accordance with the agreed commercial arrangements and operational standards,” the statement said.The association further stressed that strict hygiene measures are followed at the venue.

“We follow strict hygiene protocols at the venue. In the instance shown in the video, the vendor, while segregating wet and dry waste, poured the unused beverage back into the bottle before disposal as part of the waste collection process. The bottles were subsequently collected, segregated, and processed in accordance with the venue’s waste management and recycling policy,” the statement added.“It is reiterated that the bottles were disposed of responsibly in line with established environmental and operational guidelines,” the DDCA said.

Blazing fifties by Pavan Rathnayake and skipper Dasun Shanaka along with Kusal Mendis’ assured half-century helped Sri Lanka register a statement 105-run win over Oman in their T20 World Cup Group B clash, in Pallekele on Thursday (February 12, 2026).

Rathnayake (60 from 28 balls) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (50; 20b) returned to form, while Kusal (61; 45b) anchored the innings with successive World Cup half-century as Sri Lanka piled up 225/5 — their second highest in T20 World Cup and the highest score of this tournament so far — after Oman opted to bowl.

Oman’s chase never quite recovered from early setbacks as they wilted under scoreboard pressure to be restricted to 120/9.

Skipper Jatinder Singh was cleaned up by Dushmantha Chameera in the first over, and Aamir Kaleem and Hammad Mirza soon followed with single-digit scores as Oman slipped to 36/3 inside the power play.

Chameera (2/19) struck twice with the new ball, while spinner Maheesh Theekshana was tidy and incisive, returning figures of 2/11 from his full quota of four overs.

There was brief entertainment when Wasim Ali counter-attacked Dushan Hemantha, clubbing the leg-spinner for two sixes in a row — one over deep midwicket and another forward square leg — lifting Oman to 75/3 in 11 overs.

But the recovery was short-lived as they crashed to 91/6, losing three wickets in six balls.

Theekshana triggered the collapse by dismissing the fluent looking Wasim for 27 (20 balls; 3×6), caught by Kusal.

A direct hit from Kamil Mishara at deep point ran out Vinayak Shukla the very next ball, and Jiten Ramanandi was brilliantly stumped by Kusal for a golden duck.

Mohammad Nadeem, back after missing the opener, waged a lone battle with a valiant fifty, as the 43-year-old hit his third T20I fifty in 71 appearances.

The 2014 champions now have two wins from as many matches, topping Group B, ahead of Australia and Zimbabwe, who have one win each.

After a poor World Cup debut against Ireland where he fell for sloppy upper cut for 5, Rathnayake made amends in style smashing eight fours and one six en route to his maiden fifty that came off just 24 balls.

In the process he overtook his previous best of 40 at this venue earlier this month.

The 23-year-old charged pacer Ramanandi for the innings’ first six in the 12th over and hammered Sufyan Mehmood for three successive fours to reach the milestone.

Rathnayake and the experienced Kusal added 94 runs off just 52 balls, maintaining a run-rate in excess of nine through the middle overs.

They rotated strike smartly as 40 of Sri Lanka’s 96 runs at the halfway mark came in singles and twos.

Kusal, playing the senior partner’s role to perfection, capitalised on width from the Oman spinners and struck seven fours in his 61 off 45 balls, his second successive fifty and 19th overall.

He was run out in the penultimate over.

Shanaka, who had endured a lean build-up to the tournament with scores of 1, 4 and 0, exploded at the death with a 19-ball fifty — the fastest by a Sri Lankan in the T20 World Cup.

He took on Nadeem Khan with a boundary and back-to-back sixes, and then smashed Sufyan Mehmood for successive sixes to reach the landmark.

Shanaka and Mendis fell off consecutive deliveries in the 19th over, briefly slowing the charge.

But Kamindu Mendis (19 not out; 7 balls) ended with a flourish, hitting Shah Faisal for two sixes in a row as the co-hosts scored 65 runs in the last four overs to post the highest total of this edition so far.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka innings: Pathum Nissanka lbw Mehmood 13 Kamil Mishara lbw Odedra 8 Kusal Mendis (run out) 61 Pavan Ratnayake b Jiten 60 Dasun Shanaka c Nadeem b Jiten 50 Kamindu Mendis (not out) 19 Dunith Wellalage (not out) 6 Extras (LB-4, NB-2, W-2) 8

Total (For 5 wickets, 20 overs) 225

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-42, 3-136, 4-199, 5-200.

Oman bowling: Shah Faisal 4-0-28-0, Jay Odedra 1-0-14-1, Wasim Ali 3-0-38-0, Sufyan Mehmood 4-0-60-1, Nadeem Khan 4-0-40-0, Jiten Ramanandi 4-0-41-2.

Published – February 12, 2026 01:07 pm IST

Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan (AP)

Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott described his side’s defeat to South Africa as “devastating”, admitting the narrow loss in a dramatic T20 World Cup contest would linger with his players. The Proteas edged Afghanistan after a gripping encounter that required two Super Overs, leaving South Africa relieved and Afghanistan heartbroken in one of the most remarkable matches since the tournament began in 2007. Addressing the media after the game on Wednesday, Trott reflected on the emotional toll of back-to-back defeats in a demanding group.

“Just shows what we have as a side. So we’ve got some amazing players and it’s just really devastating for the guys after a tough loss a few days ago against New Zealand and now against South Africa in a tough group as well,” Trott said. The South African-born former England Test batter acknowledged that such losses can hurt deeply. “These guys are never shy of rising up against the challenges that they face throughout their lives on and off the field. “So today they should be very proud and obviously these types of losses sometimes they can hurt and sting for a while but I think it’s important we look at those areas that we did really well in, but also areas that we could improve and things we could have done better. “I think South Africa fielded pretty well actually as well. The run out, a few catches on the boundary, on the ring, those sorts of things. I think they fielded really well. Maybe that was the difference today a little bit,” the Afghanistan head coach said. Under Trott’s guidance, Afghanistan have made significant strides, reaching the semifinals in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup and the quarterfinals of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Though he is set to step down after this tournament, Trott declined to reflect on his tenure, insisting his focus remains on the remaining fixtures. Trott also reserved special praise for Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who smashed 84 off 42 balls in the chase of 187 and followed it with a blistering 18 off 4 balls in the second Super Over. “Those innings as we saw today, I think he should play more often if I’m honest, with the amount of talent that he has and the physique and the sporting ability and natural hand-eye coordination. “He wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s quite an animated character. I think the years that I’ve been with him now, I’m just trying to get him to be a little bit more consistent in everything that he does.”

Netherlands’s players celebrate a wicket during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup match against Namibia in New Delhi on February 10, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

Shadley Claude van Schalkwyk

Shadley Claude van Schalkwyk stunned India on Saturday as he took three wickets in an over in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. He got Ishan Kishan with a slower ball in the second ball of the sixth over of the Indian innings, and then removed Tilak Varma with a short ball that got big on him as he handed the easiest of catches for the USA skipper Monank Patel at mid wicket. Schalkwyk then followed it with a slower short ball to Shivam Dube, Saurabh Netravalkar took a good catch at short fine leg.Before the match, there were talks of India scoring 300 against the USA. As it turned out, India were 45 for 4 at the end of the powerplay. At the time of writing this story, India were reeling at 86/6 in 14.1 overs.Earlier, USA skipper Monank Patel won the toss and opted to bowl. India did not field pace ace Jasprit Bumrah in the match as he is unwell, with Mohammed Siraj coming into the playing XI.

Who is Shadley Claude van Schalkwyk?

Shadley van Schalkwyk is a South African-born American cricketer, known as a versatile all-rounder. Born on August 5, 1988, in South Africa’s Cape Town, he bats left-handed and does right-arm medium-fast bowling for the USA national team and Major League Cricket’s Los Angeles Knight Riders.Shadley van Schalkwyk made his first-class debut in 2008 for the Eagles against the Dolphins in South Africa’s SuperSport Series, and his T20 debut against the same opposition in 2009 in Pro20 Series. In the latter half of the 2020s, Schalkwyk moved to the USA and played his first T20 international for USA on April 7, 2024, against Canada. He was part of USA squad in the 2024 T20 World Cup and has also been selected for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Pakistan’s Salman Mirza was the pick of the bowlers during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup match against Netherlands in Colombo on February 7,2026
| Photo Credit: AFP