Saturday, March 07
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha reignited the handshake controversy ahead of the India clash, saying he hopes for sportsmanship but adding, “We’ll find that out tomorrow.” India arrived in Colombo to a festive welcome and will train separately from Pakistan. Key Indian players are set to feature, with spin expected to play a big role. Agha had earlier criticised India’s past handshake refusal, calling it bad for the game and young fans.
Shadley van Schalkwyk has been the standout bowler at the T20 World Cup 2026, leading the wicket charts with 11 wickets in three matches. The USA all-rounder impressed against India and Pakistan, using smart variations to pick key wickets. His resurgence comes after years of struggles, injuries, and career setbacks, which shaped his mental toughness. Now 37, Schalkwyk is enjoying peak form and inspiring USA’s strong campaign.
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali warned Pakistan that India’s spinners, especially Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, could be a major threat in the T20 World Cup clash. India received a festive welcome in Colombo, with Arshdeep Singh’s dance going viral. The team will rely on key batters like Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, while Varun could be crucial on spin-friendly pitches.
Hours before kickoff, FanCode officially sub-licensed ISL’s TV rights to Sony Sports Network, opting for wider reach over exclusivity. The Dream Sports-owned digital-first platform prioritised accessibility and collaboration, ensuring broader audience coverage. The move underlines a growing trend of partnerships, not competition, may be key to expanding sports viewership in India.
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir mocked Abhishek Sharma ahead of the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash, calling him a “slogger” and questioning his technique. Abhishek is recovering from a serious stomach infection, with India captain Suryakumar Yadav giving a cautious fitness update, while Varun Chakravarthy sounded optimistic. Abhishek has travelled to Colombo and will undergo final fitness tests before the match.
