Category: Sports

Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi, currently representing Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury sustained in a previous match in Australia’s domestic T20 league.

The Brisbane Heat officially announced Afridi’s unavailability for the rest of the BBL season in a statement. The Pakistan ODI captain sustained a knee cartilage injury while fielding during the final over of Brisbane Heat’s match against the Adelaide Strikers at Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday (December 27). Following the injury, the Brisbane Heat reached out to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical staff, who concurred that it would be best for the pacer to return home for further treatment ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Shaheen told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) that he will be boarding a plane early on Wednesday (Australia time) to head back home, where he will start his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore later this week.

“My injury is not serious, but I have been informed to return to Lahore, where my rehab will start, and I am confident that after a week of rehab, I will start bowling in the next ten days,” the pacer was quoted as saying.

Sources familiar with the situation indicated that the PCB regards Shaheen as a vital component of the national team’s bowling lineup and believes he needs appropriate rehabilitation, which will be effectively conducted in Lahore. The PCB has also enlisted renowned sports medicine specialist Dr. Javed Mughal to handle injury concerns within the Pakistan camp.

The T20 World Cup is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. However, the PCB has yet to announce the 15-player squad. Recently, the selectors released the team for the three-match series against Sri Lanka, excluding Shaheen, Babar Azam, and Haris Rauf due to their BBL commitments.

Unfortunately, Shaheen’s injury has complicated things, and he now faces a race against time to recover before the World Cup. Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands.

“I have enjoyed myself a lot playing for Brisbane, and I am sad that I will not be able to finish the season with the team. I am massively thankful to the Heat fans for showering me with immense love and support. I am also grateful for the support of the team and their amazing hospitality,” Shaheen stated in an official statement shared by Brisbane Heat.

“The BBL was everything I had heard it would be – lots of good, skilful cricket. I have enjoyed the challenge. I will be cheering for the team while recovering from my unexpected injury, and I hope our paths cross again,” he added.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Lasith Malinga, one of their greatest bowlers in white-ball cricket, as Consultant – Fast Bowling Coach for the national men’s team on a short one-month term. This appointment is aimed at supporting the team’s preparations for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

Malinga, known for his unique sling action, has represented Sri Lanka in 30 Tests, 226 One-Day Internationals, and 84 Twenty20 Internationals, claiming 101, 338, and 107 wickets in each format, respectively. He was a pivotal member of the Sri Lanka team that won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2014 in Bangladesh and finished as runners-up twice — in 2009 in England and in 2012 at home. Additionally, he was a runner-up in the 50-over World Cup in both 2007 and 2011.

“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Lasith Malinga as the Consultant – Fast Bowling Coach for the National Men’s Team. His appointment is on a short-term basis for a period of one month, effective from December 15 to January 25, 2026,” the SLC mentioned in a release.

“Malinga will support the preparation and development of Sri Lanka’s national fast bowlers as part of the build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” the release added.

The SLC aims to leverage Malinga’s vast international experience and notable expertise in death bowling, particularly in T20 cricket, to strengthen the team’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, is set to commence on February 7, 2026, with the opening match scheduled to take place at the SSC in Colombo.

The 42-year-old Malinga brings extensive experience in T20 cricket, having played franchise cricket globally in addition to international matches. He has represented the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Inddigihunt from 2008 to 2017 and again from 2019 to 2020. Malinga has also played for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, Dhaka Gladiators, Rangapur Riders, and Khulna Titans in the Bangladesh Premier League, as well as Ruhana Royals and Southern Express in the domestic Sri Lanka Premier League.

Just 10 days before the start of its fourth edition, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals have encountered a setback with experienced Australian all-rounders Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland withdrawing from the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026.

Both players have cited personal reasons for their withdrawal from the WPL, which begins on January 9.

Replacements Announced

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have named Sayali Satghare as a replacement for Perry. Satghare, who represents Mumbai at the domestic level and has previously been part of the Gujarat Giants squad, will join RCB at her reserve price of INR 30 lakh.

The three-time finalists, Delhi Capitals, have selected fellow Aussie Alana King as a replacement for Sutherland. The Australian leg-spinner, who played for UP Warriorz in the previous season, has featured in 27 T20Is and taken 27 wickets. King will join DC at a reserve price of INR 60 lakh.

Meanwhile, left-arm medium pacer Tara Norris has been selected for the USA national team for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, scheduled to be held in Nepal from January 18 to February 1, 2026. Consequently, she will be unavailable for the Women’s Premier League 2026.

Replacement for UP Warriorz

UP Warriorz have named uncapped Australian all-rounder Charli Knott as Norris’s replacement. Knott has been signed at a reserve price of INR 10 lakh.

Tournament Details

The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League will take place from January 9 to February 5, 2026, with the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara serving as the two venues. The opening match will be held at DY Patil Stadium, while the final will occur at Vadodara on February 5.

In Match 1 of the fourth edition, two-time winners Mumbai Inddigihunt Women will face off against 2024 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the DY Patil Stadium.

As India sets its sights on becoming one of the top 10 sporting nations by 2036, the government has outlined a bold plan to transform the country’s sports ecosystem. In a significant move to professionalise sports administration, the Department of Sports has taken crucial steps to strengthen the administrative framework that will be pivotal in realising this ambitious goal.

Task Force on Capacity Building

To achieve this vision, the Department of Sports established a Task Force on Capacity Building for Sports Administrators, chaired by Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra. The Task Force recently submitted its detailed report, emphasising the need for professional, accountable, and forward-looking sports administrators to facilitate a paradigm shift in India’s sporting infrastructure. The recommendations are expected to accelerate India’s rise in global sports.

The Task Force has recommended establishing the National Council for Sports Education & Capacity Building (NCSECB) as an autonomous statutory body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to regulate, accredit, and certify sports administration training.

Capability Maturity Model

The report calls for the introduction of a five-level Capability Maturity Model (CMM) as a diagnostic and planning tool to strengthen the capacity of sports administrators. This initiative aims to enable the Sports Authority of India (SAI), National Sports Federations (NSFs), and State Departments to assess institutional maturity across cadre structure, curriculum adoption, digital enablement, and athlete pathways, thereby supporting evidence-based monitoring and targeted interventions.

Furthermore, the report recommends integrating sports governance training modules into the induction and advanced training of IAS and State Civil Service officers, recognising their role in implementing sports policies. It proposes linking training to practical application and career progression through structured placements, a national accreditation registry, and policy integration.

Innovative Approaches

The report advocates for rotational postings, apprenticeship models, innovation labs, and partnerships with federations, government, and the private sector to ensure that administrators can apply their skills and advance professionally.

Ongoing Reforms

The Department of Sports is currently assessing the Task Force’s recommendations for necessary actions as part of its commitment to professionalise India’s sporting ecosystem. The Department has already initiated reforms to strengthen the sports administration framework. It has revised the norms of assistance under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) in May 2025, allowing NSFs to allocate up to 10 per cent of their total funding for administrative manpower. This ensures that NSFs have the professional staffing and technical support needed for effective operations.

Moreover, expenses required for smooth administrative operations, legal services, and the hiring of specialised young professionals or interns are now permitted up to 2.5% of the annual budget under the Scheme. NSFs have also been mandated to maintain an appropriate administrative structure and ensure proper advertising for staff appointments.

These reforms aim to establish a globally respected, athlete-focused governance framework, positioning India for long-term sporting success, including in 2036 and beyond. The government has already laid the foundation for this vision through the enactment of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy clinched the title at the 3rd Hockey India Junior Men Academy Championship 2025 – Zones A & B, with Namdhari XI securing third place at the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Hockey Ground on Tuesday.

Final Match Highlights

In the championship match, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy dominated S.G.P.C Hockey Academy with a convincing 4–0 victory. The goals came from Sukhpreet Singh (27’), Jarman Singh (35’), Sukhmanpreet Singh (51′), and Amandeep (56’).

Third-Place Match

Namdhari XI showcased their strength against Ghumanhera Risers Academy, winning decisively with a score of 7–0. Bihara Singh found the back of the net twice at 23’ and 52’, while Gurdayal Singh also scored two goals at 30’ and 58’. Other contributors included Vikram at 26’, Nikhil at 41’, and Sehajpreet Singh at 53’.

Semi-Final Results

Earlier on Monday, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy and S.G.P.C. Hockey Academy reached the finals after triumphing in their respective semi-finals at the same venue.

Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy won their semi-final against Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy with an impressive 8-1 scoreline. Prince Singh scored twice at 7 and 58 minutes, and Amandeep matched him with two goals at 11 and 47 minutes. Jarman Singh also achieved a brace at 25 and 59 minutes, while Varinder Singh (2’) and Uttkarsh (13’) contributed with another pair of goals. Hitesh Kataria scored the only goal for Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy in the 47th minute.

In the other semi-final, S.G.P.C. Hockey Academy secured a 2-1 victory over Namdhari XI. Diljeet Singh scored at 37 minutes and Jagjit Singh at 39 minutes for S.G.P.C., while Sehajpreet Singh netted for Namdhari XI at 53 minutes.

Sub Junior Men Academy Championship

On the same day, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy also won the 3rd Hockey India Sub Junior Men Academy Championship 2025 – Zones A & B title. Army Boys Sports Company finished as runners-up, while Sail Hockey Academy took third place.

In the final, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy triumphed over Army Boys Sports Company with a score of 2-0. Ali Razzaq scored at 35 minutes, followed by Sanmukh Singh at 56 minutes, both crucial in securing their championship.

In the third-place match, Sail Hockey Academy bested Ritu Rani Hockey Academy 7-0. Arun Lakra scored twice (13’, 34’), and contributions came from Bikash Kaetha (15’), Mohmad Shahid (17’), Kailash Kujur (22’), Milan Athokpam (28’), and Malemnganba Akoijam (35’).

Jatinder Singh will lead Oman once again as the team has announced their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, starting on February 7.

Wicketkeeper-batter Vinayak Shukla has been named Jatinder’s deputy, with Oman making five changes to the squad that played in the Asia Cup earlier in the year. Jatinder, who missed out on selection for the previous T20 World Cup, is Oman’s most experienced player and leading T20 run-scorer.

Oman aims to make a mark in their fourth appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In this upcoming edition, they are placed in Group B alongside Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.

Oman qualified for the tournament through the ICC Asia-EAP Qualifier, finishing second behind Nepal. They will face co-hosts Sri Lanka, 2021 winners Australia, Zimbabwe, and Ireland in Group B at the World Cup. The Asian side begins their campaign against Zimbabwe on February 9 in Colombo.

The 20-team tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka over 29 days and at eight venues (five in India and three in Sri Lanka). A total of 40 group matches will be played between February 7 and 20, with the top two sides from each group progressing to the Super Eights phase of the tournament, commencing on February 21.

The top four sides at the completion of the Super Eights will qualify for the knockout stages of the event, with semi-finals to be held in Kolkata/Colombo and Mumbai, ahead of the title decider on March 8 in Ahmedabad/Colombo.

Oman squad for 2026 T20 World Cup

• Jatinder Singh (capt)
• Vinayak Shukla (vice-capt)
• Mohammad Nadeem
• Shakeel Ahmad
• Hammad Mirza
• Wasim Ali
• Karan Sonavale
• Faisal Shah
• Nadeem Khan
• Sufyan Mehmood
• Jay Odedra
• Shafiq Jan
• Ashish Odedra
• Jiten Ramanandi
• Hasnain Ali Shah

Akshu Fernando, the former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer, tragically passed away on Tuesday, nearly seven years after being left in a coma following a devastating railway accident.

Fernando, 25, had been in critical condition since December 28, 2018, when he was struck by a train while crossing an unprotected railway track near Mount Lavinia Beach. The incident occurred as he was returning from a team running session, resulting in severe head injuries and multiple fractures. He was immediately placed on life support and remained under constant medical care, with his family by his side throughout his long battle for recovery.

A leading Sri Lankan newspaper reported the passing of the young cricketer, quoting international commentator Roshan Abeysinghe. “Just heard the sad news that Akshu Fernando has passed away. He was truly a wonderful young man whose promising career was cut short by a cruel accident. A quality player for his school and his final club Ragama. It’s a sad day for all of us who knew him. A cheerful, friendly and thorough gentleman was he. We will miss you Akshu and remember you for the rest of our life. Rest in peace sweet prince,” Abeysinghe said.

At the time of the accident, Fernando was regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s brightest young cricketing talents. He represented his country at the 2010 ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, where he made a significant impact, particularly in the semifinal against Australia. He scored 52 runs in that match, becoming Sri Lanka’s top scorer in a contest that saw them narrowly miss out on a place in the final.

A product of St Peter’s College in Colombo, Fernando’s school cricket career was exceptional. He led the Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17 teams and was the vice-captain of the Under-19 side. His leadership and field talent earned him spots at several prestigious local clubs, including Colts Sports Club, Panadura Sports Club, Chilaw Mardigihunt, and Ragama Sports Club.

His final competitive appearance came just two weeks before the tragic accident, when he scored an unbeaten 102 against Moors Sports Club on December 14, 2018.

Fernando’s sudden death concludes a lengthy period marked by significant physical and emotional pain. It also brings back memories of a promising cricketing journey that many believed could have led to the top levels of international cricket.

In a decisive move to enhance athlete-led governance and accountability in Indian sport, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will host the first National Athletes’ Forum on January 10 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Key Focus Areas of the Forum

The Forum will emphasize critical themes, including:

• Athlete rights and responsibilities
• Ethical and transparent governance
• Safe sport and integrity
• Mental health and well-being
• Anti-doping education
• Grievance redressal
• Structured career transition pathways

Discussions will aim to convert athlete feedback into actionable reforms, fostering a direct and solution-focused engagement among current and former athletes, athlete representatives, and key stakeholders from across the country.

IOA has stated that the details of participation, agenda, and speakers will be announced in due course.

Statements from IOA Officials

Announcing the initiative, PT Usha, President of the IOA, remarked, “This is the first time in India’s sporting history that athletes are being brought together through a dedicated national forum to directly influence governance. Athlete voices can no longer be peripheral—this Forum signals a decisive shift towards athlete-led reform, accountability, and shared decision-making.”

Reinforcing the initiative’s significance, Usha added, “Sustained excellence in sport is impossible without safeguarding athlete dignity, safety, and well-being. This Forum makes it clear that athlete welfare is central to policy, not an afterthought.”

Commitment to Athlete Engagement

The Athletes’ Forum represents the IOA’s commitment to move beyond consultation, ensuring that athletes actively shape policies affecting their careers and welfare.

MC Mary Kom, Chair of the IOA Athletes’ Commission, stated, “Athletes know the system from the inside. This Forum gives us a credible platform to speak openly about challenges and solutions to ensure that athlete experiences are reflected in governance and reform.”

Adding the perspective of active athletes, Sharath Kamal, Vice Chairman of the IOA Athletes’ Commission, said, “As athletes, we often feel the impact of policies long after decisions are made. This Forum changes that equation. It allows athletes to be heard at the right time—before decisions are taken—and helps build a more transparent and accountable sporting ecosystem.”

Location and Future Impact

Choosing Ahmedabad as the host city reflects the IOA’s intention to broaden athlete engagement across regions and ensure that reform-driven conversations reach athletes at all levels.

The Athletes’ Forum is expected to strengthen the Athletes’ Commission’s role and contribute meaningfully to the evolution of athlete-centred governance in Indian sport.

India’s seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to play in two of Baroda’s final three Vijay Hazare Trophy league matches in January. He will feature in the matches against Vidarbha on January 3 and Chandigarh on January 8, but will miss the clash against Jammu & Kashmir on January 6 to manage his workload ahead of the T20 World Cup.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed, “Hardik was wishing to turn out in ODIs against New Zealand, but the team think-tank advised him to rest from the series, as they want him in fine fettle for the subsequent T20I series and the all-important T20 World Cup.”

Pandya last played an ODI for India in March during the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai. He, along with ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, is expected to return for India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which starts in Nagpur on January 21, ahead of the T20 World Cup beginning on February 7. Both Pandya and Bumrah are viewed as crucial to India’s T20 World Cup title defense, although Bumrah has been exempted from participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy games.

Pandya resumed full all-round duties during India’s 3-1 T20I series victory over South Africa in December after recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained during the Asia Cup Super Fours match against Sri Lanka in September. This injury kept him out of the Asia Cup final against Pakistan and India’s following 2-1 T20I series win in Australia.

India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series will be announced when the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel convenes in the first week of January. Shubman Gill could return to lead the team for matches in Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore after missing the 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa due to a neck injury.

The selectors will also receive an official update on Shreyas Iyer’s status, who has been training and building his fitness at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Iyer has been sidelined after suffering a serious spleen injury while attempting to take a diving catch of Alex Carey during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney.

Additionally, the selectors are likely to discuss the second keeper position, especially with T20 World Cup-bound Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel performing well, creating stiff competition for the incumbent Rishabh Pant.

India opener Shafali Verma’s recent resurgence has been further fueled by her impressive performance in the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka, helping her climb to the sixth spot in the latest Women’s T20I Batter Rankings.

The young Indian star has gained four spots, bringing her closer to the top position she previously held in 2020, becoming only the second Indian player, after Mithali Raj, to achieve the number one ranking in T20I cricket. Shafali has found her best form again, building on her brilliant performance in last month’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Final. There, she notched up 87 runs and took two wickets, playing a pivotal role in securing India’s first-ever 50-over World Cup title.

Her stellar form has carried over into the T20 format, where she has been in sensational touch against Sri Lanka, scoring three half-centuries and leading the run-scoring charts in the series. Shafali now trails top-ranked Australian batter Beth Mooney by just 60 rating points, showing her growing dominance in the T20I format.

Richa Ghosh, another Indian player, has also seen a significant rise in the T20I batter rankings. The 22-year-old moved up seven places to join the 20th position, following her match-winning 40 not out in the fourth game of the series against Sri Lanka.

India’s bowling ranks have also seen a surge, with Renuka Singh and Shree Charani making notable strides. Renuka, who took a brilliant four-wicket haul in the third match of the series, jumped eight spots to join the top six in the T20I bowler rankings. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani has gained 17 places, now sitting at 52nd, while Vaishnavi Sharma has seen an extraordinary leap of 390 places to reach 124th in her debut international series.

Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma continues to hold the top spot among T20I bowlers, and Hayley Matthews from the West Indies maintains a strong lead among T20I all-rounders.

For Sri Lanka, left-handed opener Hasini Perera has moved up 114 places to 71st in the batter rankings after solid performances in the series, while Kavisha Dilhari has made a modest gain to reach 79th.

With India taking a commanding 4-0 lead in the five-match series and aiming for a whitewash, the rankings reflect their dominance, with both batters and bowlers on the rise.