Sports
Markram, Ngidi help South Africa ease past dogged Canada
South Africa’s first T20 World Cup match since the heartbreak of the 2024 final proved a substantially less fraught affair. In the echoing environs of the Narendra Modi Stadium, they were made to work just hard enough by Canada in the first meeting between the two nations, eventually easing to a 57-run victory thanks to Aiden Markram’s 28-ball fifty, and 4 for 31 from Lungi Ngidi.
Canada fought hard in patches, principally through Anush Patel’s three wickets of wristspin, then a feisty half-century from Navneet Dhaliwal, whose 64 from 49 was the highest score of the match. Most of his runs came in a fifth-wicket stand of 69 with Harsh Thaker that cracked along at eight an over even as the rate continued to rise. By then, however, Ngidi had claimed three of his wickets in the powerplay to wreck any realistic hopes of an upset.
With its mix of red and black soil, Ahmedabad’s pitches can veer between extremes. But this offering, hard and lightly grassed, could hardly have been better suited to South Africa’s route-one methods.
Markram set the tone from the top of the order with a dominant 59 from 32 balls, Ryan Rickelton chipped in with 33 from 21, before Tristan Stubbs and David Miller brought up the rear in unbeaten knocks of 34 from 19 and 39 from 23 respectively.
Though no-one turned up for a statement display, none was really needed against enthusiastic but outclassed opponents whose fielding – despite one moment of individual brilliance – was consistently sub-par, and whose bowlers served up 13 extra deliveries across their innings, including nine wides and back-to-back no-balls on height in Kaleem Sana’s final over.
Pace and bounce, and a hint of seam movement. Ngidi doesn’t need a second invitation to thrive in such conditions. With a hefty target of 214 on the board, he landed the first ball of Canada’s reply right in the channel and found a thin snick off the edge of Dilpreet Bajwa’s bat, even as he tried to leave it alone.
In Ngidi’s next over, the left-hander Yuvraj Samra was done in by one that left him a fraction, for Quinton de Kock to claim his second catch of the powerplay. And though Nicholas Kirton smashed his second ball through the covers for four, he then spliced his third to Kagiso Rabada at mid-on. Ngidi had 3 for 13 in two overs, and Canada’s challenge was faltering before it had begun.
Rabada then beat Shreyas Movva for pace to leave them teetering at 45 for 4, but with the dew factor kicking in – as Canada’s captain Bajwa had anticipated at the toss – further breakthroughs were put on hold as Dhaliwal and Thaker exploited the extra zip onto the bat, and across the outfield. But when Ngidi returned for his final over, Thaker failed to pick his looping slower ball, and Rabada at deep third clung on to the leading edge.
If South Africa felt at home from home in these conditions, then Patel was literally so. Born in nearby Vadodara, he had moved to Toronto as a baby, but returned to Gujarat at the age of 10, when his father took a punt on his burgeoning cricket talent. A contract with Punjab Kings ensued in 2022, but a change in eligibility rules forced him home again, and into the midst of Canada’s return to the big-time.
Ansh’s first act of his home-from-homecoming didn’t quite go to plan, when he spilled de Kock at short third on 6. De Kock, however, didn’t quite make Canada pay. He had been ominously placed on 25 from 22 when he played over the top of a looping delivery from Bajwa, and lost his off stump.
That was the cue for Ansh to enter the attack. With his energetic, low-slung, left-arm wristspin, he provided the handbrake that Canada needed as he whirred through his repertoire to claim 3 for 31, all between overs eight and 16.
He needed a moment of inspiration to ignite his display. Markram had been in ominous touch with 10 fours and a six, as he peppered the arc from cover to mid-on with his favoured range of drives. But, when he dragged Ansh’s googly a touch too straight, Dilon Heyliger was lurking at long-on with a sensational interception: a leaping, reaching take on the run to his left, capped with cool footwork as he kept his balance inches inside the rope.
Rickelton was also done in while attempting a launch down the ground, a far more straightforward catch to Thaker at long-on, and Ansh made it three in nine balls when Dewald Brevis was deceived in flight to hoist a steepler to mid-off for a run-a-ball 6.
From 126 for 1 to 138 for 4, it was the start of a fightback … but only from South Africa’s impressively stacked middle order. Though Heinrich Klaasen remains much missed since retiring from internationals, Stubbs and Miller are no mean combo for the death overs. Five sixes between them from the final 14 balls put the contest out of reach.
Brief scores:
South Africa 213 for 4 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 59, Quinton de Kock 25, Ryan Rickelton 33, David Miller 39*, Tristan Stubbs 34*; Dilpreet Bajwa 1-40, Ansh Patel 3-31) beat Canada 156 for 8 in 20 overs (Yuvraj Samra 12, Navneet Dhaliwal 64, Harsha Thaker 33, Saad Bin Zafar 11; Lungi Ngidi 4-31, Marco Jansen 2-30, Kagiso Rabada 1-40, Corbin Bosch 1-27) by 57 runs
(Cricinfo)
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Confident Bangladesh pose Australia a fresh challenge after 15-year wait for an ODI series
The voyage of discovery for Australia’s depleted one-day squad now moves to Dhaka against a Bangladesh side who are confident on their own turf. The visitors had hoped for reinforcements by now but that hasn’t proved the case with captain Mitchell Marsh still sidelined and Travis Head granted leave from the whole tour. But they were not a million miles away from beating Pakistan in spin-heavy conditions.
It is the first men’s bilateral ODI series between these teams in 15 years. One of the intriguing aspects of this leg of the tour is what conditions will confront Australia in only their second ODI series in the country. In times gone by it would have been billed as another trial by spin, but it may not play out that way this time. Pace bowling is now having a big say in Bangladesh. Across the six ODIs played this year – five of which have been in Mirpur, the venue for this series – pace bowlers have taken 69 wickets at 22.60 while spin has accounted for 26 at 35.50.
Having largely relied on Nathan Ellis for the last two matches in Pakistan – and even he was effectively bowling fast cutters most of the time – along with a handful of overs from Cameron Green, the likes of Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis could well have a role to play.
Should pace play a significant part that should, in theory, provide a more familiar challenge for Australia’s batters. However, a home attack that could consist of Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed and the variations of Mustafizur Rahman should pose plenty of questions, especially for those struggling for form such as Marnus Labuschagne – if he is able to retain his place in the side. That isn’t to say spin won’t be a threat as well, with Bangladesh well covered in that department. Either way, it’s been a country where the bowlers are in the game: there hasn’t been an ODI total over 300 in Bangladesh since 2023.
The hosts have won their last four series at home – against Sri Lanka, West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand – and while each of those teams have had problems of their own, Bangladesh have found a formula that is working.
Australia will get their first look at Nahid Rana who is emerging as one of the most exciting pace-bowling prospects in the world. In the recent six ODIs against Pakistan and New Zealand he took 16 wickets at 17.43. He impressed, too, in the Tests against Pakistan which is something to keep in the back pocket with Bangladesh touring Australia for two matches in August.
Mosaddek Hossain will most likely return to the Bangladesh ODI side for the first time since August 2022, while the pace attack will include the first choice trio.
Bangladesh (probable): Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana
Australia will likely need an extra pace bowler compared to how they finished the Pakistan series. Both Bartlett and Dwarshuis offer something with the bat, too, which is helpful for the balance of the lower order. Cooper Connolly remains available as a batter only, at least for the ODI series, and both he and the uncapped allrounder Liam Scott could put pressure on Labuschagne if the batting order was shuffled.
Australia (probable): Matt Short, Josh Inglis (capt & wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Aex Carey, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Ollie Peake, Xavier Bartlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
(Cricinfo)
AUSTRALIA
For the first time since 2017, Australia do not have global silverware to defend, with last year’s ODI World Cup semi-final exit following the relinquishing of the T20 title in 2024 after a hat-trick of trophies. They have a new captain, too, in Sophie Molineux who has taken over from the retired Alyssa Healy butAl has had a tricky start to her job due to a back injury.
Having been beaten at home by India in February, it’s a vital few weeks for the side to reaffirm their standing at the top of the tree. However, they find themselves in the group of death with one of them, India and South Africa unable to make the semi-finals.
While Healy has retired, the core of the squad remains very familiar although the call-up of left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton hints at the new generation. There is no shortage of spin options, so much so that Alana King may struggle to find a place in the XI despite recently being the Player of the Series in West Indies.
Squad: Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, Grace Harris, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molinuex (capt), Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt, Lucy Hamilton
Player to watch
Even before Healy’s retirement, injuries had prevented her playing T20Is since the last World Cup so Georgia Voll has had a decent run to establish herself at the top of the order. She has taken it with both hands. In 12 matches Voll is averaging 39.50 with a strike-rate of 156.43 – while the sample size remains small, that’s the highest figure of anyone with at least 400 runs in T20Is.
She made her mark against New Zealand last year, then enjoyed an impressive start to 2026 with 88 against India in Canberra before a breakout century in West Indies, her batting characterised by power down the ground. It feels as though she is already at the stage where she can star in a global event.
Predicted finish: Finalists
BANGLADESH
Player to watch
Pace bowler Marufa Akter could relish the conditions in England, particularly given her ability to swing the ball at decent speeds. An on-song Marufa is a delightful sight for those who love to see the ball seam and shape towards the batters. She has taken eleven wickets in as many matches this year, while maintaining a good economy rate.
But she has little support in terms of pace from the other end. Bangladesh have left-arm seamer Fariha Islam and Ritu Moni’s slow-medium pace. As a result, Marufa has to do most of the attacking in the powerplay, and then return to bowl pinpoint yorkers and slower balls at the death.
Predicted finish: Group stage
INDIA
India enter the T20 World Cup with the tag of ODI champions. However, their form heading into this tournament has been a little iffy. In the last six months, they won at home against Sri Lanka and away against Australia but lost both the away series against South Africa (4-1) and England (2-1).
The three match series against England showed their inclination to have the returning Yastika Bhatia batting at No. 3, which meant Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur occupied Nos. 4 and 5. Bhatia was the leading run-getter in the series with 119 runs but her strike rate (126.79) was the lowest among the top-five scorers.
Injuries to Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam mean India’s combination leans towards a five-bowler strategy with Shafali Verma’s part-time offspin as the addition. India’s familiarity with English conditions – they also toured England in 2025 with wins in each of the white-ball series – means they head into the T20 World Cup with some confidence.
Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Bharti Fulmali, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandani Sharma, Radha Yadav
Player to watch
Smriti Mandhana is the lynchpin of this India team, and their fortunes will hinge on her. This is evidenced by the fact that she was India’s leading run-getter in last year’s ODI World Cup which they won. She also led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second WPL title earlier in the year, while topping the batting charts.
She is not just among the most experienced players in the Indian team but has the advantage of knowing conditions in the UK, thanks to her regular presence in the Kia Super League and the Hundred.
Predicted finish: Semi-finalists
NETHERLANDS
Netherlands will be at their first-ever women’s T20 World Cup (Cricinfo)
Everybody loves a newcomer, and this edition of the T20 World Cup welcomes Netherlands. They secured their spot at the qualifying tournament, where they finished in fourth place and beat the last tournament debutants, Scotland, along the way.
Though cricket is a minority sport in the country, it continues to punch above its weight and history provides plenty of reasons to regard the Dutch as plucky. In 2009, their men’s team made their first T20 World Cup appearance and beat England at Lord’s. In 2023, they were the only Associate nation to play at the men’s ODI World Cup. The women don’t have England in their group but take on heavyweights Australia, India – both for the first time – and South Africa, along with Bangladesh and Pakistan.
In personnel terms, Netherlands have four players with more than 1,000 runs in the format – Sterre Kalis, Babette de Leede, Robine Rijke and Silver Siegers – and they’re all in this squad. Iris Zwilling, their leading seamer, is two wickets away from 100. This will also be a swansong for coach Neil MacRae, who will hand over the reins to former Leicestershire, Namibia and Titans’ women’s coach Pierre de Bruyn on August 1.
Squad: Babette de Leede (capt), Caroline de Lange, Frederique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence (wk), Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis
Player to watch
Not only is Sterre Kallis their leading run-scorer in T20Is, but she has significant experience playing in England, across the domestic system and in the Hundred. Most recently, Kalis scored three fifties in the ECB Women’s One-Day Cup where she is the sixth leading run scorer.
Kalis has also played at the WBBL and will be able to provide her team-mates with inside information into a side they have never come across before. Along with Babette de Leede, who has experience playing in South Africa, Kalis will headline the batters as the Dutch look to show what they can do against some of the world’s best bowlers.
Predicted Finish One group stage upset and that’s where it will end.
PAKISTAN
As the women’s game develops at pace in many places around the world, there’s a sense Pakistan are struggling to keep up and this tournament could be a litmus test. Not only have their own board’s plans to develop a franchise T20 tournament akin to the men’s PSL stuttered then stopped entirely but, for reasons including geopolitics, their players have almost no exposure to major leagues. The consequences speak for themselves: Pakistan have won only one T20I series in the last two-and-a-half years and that was against women’s FTP newcomers Zimbabwe in May, and won one match in each of the last four editions of the T20 World Cup.
Though they are stacked with talent and have a well-resourced support staff, consistent results and major success are lacking. At an expanded tournament, their first aim will be to show they are a cut above the qualifiers and then to see if they can take some big names along the way. They’ll be hopeful of having their premier seamer, Diana Baig, for the entire tournament after she was injured during the 2024 event and will need their big hitters: Gull Feroza, Eyman Fatima and Natalia Pervaiz to come good to have a successful event.
Squad: Fatima Sana (capt), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan
Key Player
Pakistan’s dynamic captain, Fatima Sana captured hearts when she had to leave the previous T20 World Cup after the sudden death of her father but then returned to lead thesa side in their final game. Though she earned much goodwill, she was unable to take Pakistan out of the group stage and was criticised for batting too low. Sana remains at No.6 but has had a remarkable 2026 so far, which has included scoring the fastest fifty in women’s T20Is, off 15 balls, and striking at over 200. Combine that with her new-ball bowling skills and the responsibility she carries as skipper, and it’s clear she is key to their chances.
Predicted Finish: Group Stage
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa have done everything but win a World Cup recently – they have reached the last three finals across white-ball formats – so every cricketing conversation in the country is about when they will take the next step. Pressure? What pressure?
While they may face plenty of it from a home base hungry for its first senior white-ball World Cup, South Africa routinely find themselves spoken about behind the big three. That means they may feel less of the spotlight in England, where the home nation has hearts aflutter and other eyes are directed towards the big two in their group. Six-time champions Australia and current ODI World Cup title-holders India stand in South Africa’s path to the semis and the smart money could be on that pair but… South Africa beat India 4-1 in a pre-tournament series at home and knocked Australia out of the last tournament so they’ll back themselves to rise above the reputations they face.
They selected their strongest possible squad, which includes two former captains (Dane van Niekerk and Sune Luus), six seamers, five spinners, two wicketkeepers and a well-set top seven. On paper, they have all the ingredients. In practice, they need to cook.
Squad: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon, Dané van Niekerk
Player to watch
It’s hard to look past Laura Wolvaardt, who was the leading run-scorer at the last three ICC events, including two T20 World Cups, as being crucial to South Africa’s chances but they’ve also put their faith in reverse-retiree Shabnim Ismail. At 37, Ismail has not been an active international for over three years but is the leading seamer in league cricket and lost none of the aggression that made her so intimidating to face.
Predicted Finish: Ch… we’d never touch the money.
(Cricinfo)
Masters double international Rajiva Wijetunge, who participated in his 100th athletics meet, made it a memorable one by winning gold for Shot Put and silver for Discus Throw in the 65 – 69 age category at the Singapore Masters Athletics Meet conducted at the Home of Athletics Stadium, Kallang Singapore over the weekend. With the gold and the sliver madals won by Rajiva, his international medals tally stands at 34 on his 67th birthday today (June 08).
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