Pakistan’s experienced batter Babar Azam has urged his teammates to remain calm and focused amid the high expectations ahead of the T20 World Cup match against India, scheduled for Sunday in Colombo.

“Matches between Pakistan and India are always intense. It’s not just the people of both countries, but the whole world watches this game, which takes it to a completely different level and raises expectations from the players,” Babar said in a video statement.

He added, “I have been part of many such matches and have learned that the more composed you remain, and the more you focus on the game instead of external noise, the better you will perform.”

Babar acknowledged the excitement surrounding the fixture but emphasised that players benefit from staying tension-free.

“There is always a lot of energy in this match, but the more relaxed the players are, the better it is for them,” he said.

Rain to play spoilsport
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Meteorological Department has predicted rainfall in Colombo on match day, adding a weather variable to the contest.

Cricket fans, however, remain hopeful for an exciting game on Sunday.

COLOMBO: Ireland sealed their first win of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 96-run victory over Oman at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Saturday, a result that effectively ended Oman’s tournament hopes. 

Chasing 236, Oman were restricted to 139 in 18 overs as Ireland’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. 

Aamir Kaleem led the resistance with a brisk 50 off 29 balls (five fours, two sixes), while Hammad Mirza made 46 off 37 (six fours, one six), but the rest of the line-up failed to provide meaningful support.

For Oman, Aamir Kaleem top-scored with a quick 50 off 29 balls, including five fours and two sixes, while Hammad Mirza added 46 off 37 deliveries, featuring six fours and one six. Other batters struggled to make a significant impact.

From Ireland, Josh Little was the pick of the bowlers registering figures of 3/16 in four overs. Matthew Humphreys and Barry McCarthy notched up two while George Dockrell chipped in with one wicket as well.

Batting first, Ireland got off to a shaky start as they lost opener Tim Tector early in the first over after scoring just five off four deliveries from Shakeel Ahmed.

The team slipped further when Ross Adair and Harry Tector were dismissed for 14 each, leaving Ireland reeling at 45-3 in five overs.

Skipper Harry Tector and Curtis Campher steadied the innings with a decent partnership, but Campher fell for 12 off seven balls, including two fours, to Aamir Kaleem.

The innings gained momentum when Lorcan Tucker joined Gareth Delany, both attacking aggressively against Oman’s bowling.

Runs flowed freely as Ireland crossed the 100-run mark, with Delany in scintillating form. He raised his fifty and shared a crucial 101-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Tucker.

Tucker himself was unstoppable, pushing the team past 150 runs while reaching his 11th T20I half-century. Delany eventually fell for 56 off 30 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes, caught by Shah Faisal.

Ireland finished strongly with late fireworks. George Dockrell remained unbeaten on 35 off just nine balls, smashing five sixes, while Tucker stayed not out with 94 off 51 deliveries, including 10 fours and four sixes, helping Ireland post a commanding total.

WACO, Texas — Tyce Armstrong hit three grand slams in his Baylor debut Friday night in the Bears’ 15-2 season-opening victory over New Mexico State, just the second college baseball player to accomplish that feat.

“I’m speechless,” Armstrong said. “It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of.”

He joins Louisville’s Jim LaFountain as the only players with that distinction. LaFountain hit two of his three grand slams in the same inning on March 24, 1976, in the second game of a doubleheader against Western Kentucky. He also hit a two-run home run in the 26-4 victory that was called in the fifth inning.

No Major League Baseball player has hit three grand slams in one game. Thirteen players have had two in a game.

Armstrong, a senior first baseman, transferred from Texas-Arlington, where he had 17 homers and 87 RBIs over three seasons.

He went 3-for-4 with 12 RBIs against New Mexico State.

Armstrong hit all three homers to left field — a 401-foot shot in the third inning, a 407-foot blast in the fourth and a 386-foot homer in the seventh.