Pakistan are set to take on England cricket team in their second Super Eight match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup today, in a fixture that could define their semi-final ambitions.
After a frustrating washout against New Zealand cricket team at the Premadasa Stadium, Pakistan return to action knowing that every match now carries knockout-level intensity.
Group Situation
England made a strong Super Eight statement by defending a modest total against Sri Lanka cricket team, climbing to the top of the group standings.
Pakistan and New Zealand sit just behind with a point each, while Sri Lanka are yet to open their account.
With the table finely balanced, today’s contest is effectively a virtual quarter-final in the race for the last four.
Conditions in Kandy
The match will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, where conditions are expected to assist spin bowlers as the game progresses.
The surface traditionally offers grip and turn under lights, potentially favouring Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack.
Team sources suggest Pakistan are preparing a calculated strategy centred around slow bowling to exploit England’s occasional vulnerability against quality spin.
Head-to-Head and Redemption Factor
Pakistan hold a historical advantage in T20Is against England, having won 18 of their 28 meetings.
However, memories of the 2022 T20 World Cup final in Melbourne — where England defeated Pakistan to lift the trophy — still linger in the camp.
For Pakistan, this match carries an added emotional edge.
Key Players to Watch
In-form opener Sahibzada Farhan, who has scored 220 runs in the tournament so far, remains central to Pakistan’s hopes.
“Spin will be our main weapon,” Farhan said ahead of the clash. “These conditions demand patience and smart cricket.”
England will rely on captain Jos Buttler, the explosive Will Jacks, and leg-spinner Adil Rashid to maintain their momentum.
For Pakistan, players like Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq are expected to play key roles alongside Farhan.
Weather Outlook
Clear weather is forecast in Kandy, ensuring a full contest without interruption.
With pride, points, and semi-final qualification on the line, the stage is set for a high-intensity encounter under lights — one that could reshape the Super Eight standings.
PROVO, Utah — AJ Dybantsa had 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to help No. 23 BYU defeat No. 6 Iowa State79-69 on Saturday night for its first victory over a top 10 opponent this season.
Kennard Davis Jr. added 17 points, and Mihailo Boskovic had 13 for the Cougars (20-7, 8-6 Big 12). They outscored Iowa State 40-22 in the paint and had a 39-28 edge on the glass.
“He’s showing people night in and night out how reliable he is,” BYU coach Kevin Young said of Dybantsa. “What I liked about him tonight is he did it on both ends of the floor. … I thought it was his most complete game of the season.”
Dybantsa has been scoring at an elite level against ranked competition all season. According to ESPN Research, he is averaging 28.2 points in the Cougars past five matchups against AP top 10 opponents.
“AJ can do whatever he wants on a basketball court. Whatever he puts his mind to, he can do,” Young said. And Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger concurred.
“He’s obviously a really tough cover. I mean, his size, with his ball skills, his ability to pass and create an advantage, get the spots and make shots, is truly unique,” Otzelberger said. “I mean it’s up there with anybody in the country that’s for sure.”
Iowa State was tabbed as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament selection committee’s reveal of the top 16 teams in the bracket earlier Saturday. The Cyclones were the fifth top 10 team on the day to suffer a loss.
Iowa State whittled a double-digit deficit to a basket, drawing to 57-54 on Lipsey’s 3-pointer with 7:21 left.
Dybantsa and Davis scored back-to-back baskets at the rim to quell the rally. It marked the beginning of a 13-3 run that made it 70-57 with 3:33 remaining.
Rob Wright III bookended a 13-0 run with a pair of layups that put BYU up 37-25 in the final minute before halftime. The Cougars attacked the rim throughout the first half and outscored Iowa State 22-6 in the paint over the first 20 minutes.
There was little movement over the last week. Tennessee won four more games to continue its undefeated season and maintain its place atop the rankings. Texas Tech and Texas, last year’s WCWS finalists, are right behind. And this week brought a new team to the top 25 to replace Clemson: Grand Canyon.
Here’s this week’s complete ranking.
Player to watch
Sophia Knight, Tennessee
The junior outfielder is as responsible as anybody for Tennessee’s hot start to the season. Knight was named SEC Player of the Week after going 11-for-13 last week. She has recorded eight multi-hit games and is hitting .543 through the first 14 games of the season.
How to watch
Everything college softball on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, Big 12 Now on ESPN+, ESPN3, ESPN+, SEC Network+ and ACCNX is accessible here, in addition to being available on the ESPN App.
What’s the full schedule
You can check out the complete scoreboard here to stay up to date this spring.
– Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Venis on the radar of Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid, according to TEAMtalk. It is reported that the 24-year-old is expected to leave Spurs in the summer, regardless of whether they avoid relegation, and the Red Devils are the latest club to join the race to sign him. TEAMtalk also reports that the Premier League side aren’t close to reaching an agreement over a new contract with Van de Ven, whose deal expires in 2029, and the Netherlands international is now weighing up his options.
– Chicago Fire, Benfica, and Juventus are looking at signing Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva in the summer, says the Daily Mail. Silva, 31, is out of contract at the end of the season and is reportedly keen to leave for a new challenge. The Portugal international has been a key player for Pep Guardiola over the past decade, and there has also been interest from the Saudi Pro League.
– Real Madrid are weighing up a move to bring back Como defender Jacobo Ramón, according to AS. It is reported that Los Blancos now see the 21-year-old as a potential long-term starter for the club after they let him leave in 2025, but luckily they included a clause which allows them to sign him back for €8 million. The report adds that the LaLiga side haven’t made contact with the respective representatives of defenders Antonio Rüdiger, 32, andDavid Alaba, 33, regarding potential contract extensions, which could see Ramon brought in as one of the reinforcements to replace them.
– Barcelona and on-loan Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford have reached an agreement in principle on personal terms, says Nicolo Schira. The 28-year-old has reportedly agreed a four-year contract until 2030, with the Blaugrana pushing to sign him on a permanent deal. Fresh talks are expected to take place, but sources told ESPN last week that United have no plans to accept anything less than the permanent option clause fee, which is worth between €30 million and €35 million.
– Chelsea have made an approach to sign Independiente del Valle and Ecuador international midfielder Patrik Mercado, according to TEAMtalk. The Blues are reportedly among several Premier League clubs keen on the 22-year-old, with Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham also interested in securing his signature. Any move to Stamford Bridge for Mercado would be expected to include a spell at Strasbourg on loan to allow him to develop, while also making the future switch to West London more feasible due to their ownership under BlueCo.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Sam Tighe on the future for Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven.
No one could blame Van de Ven for wanting to leave Spurs this summer. Despite impressing greatly since joining in 2023, the club have only moved backwards.
With the ball at his feet, he’s a rare breed of game-breaking central defender. He can carry the ball through the opposition lines and over long distances, picking up serious speed in the process — only three Premier League center backs have clocked a max speed faster than his 34.12 km/h this season, per Gradient Sports. He’s delivered remarkable goals and remarkable assists at the end of these long runs.
That speed also helps him immensely in defense, enabling him to stop strikers from working space in behind. The only weakness in his game is perhaps a lack of progressive passing: He’s inconsistent (at best) in feeding the ball forward and into dangerous areas.
It wouldn’t surprise if Liverpool were weighing him up as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, while Real Madrid’s center back situation is so unhealthy they need answers fast. But Man United? For the first time in a while, they seem quite set there; Lisandro Martinez is fit again, Matthijs de Ligt was having an excellent season until injury paused it, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are high-potential players, and Harry Maguire seems to be working his way towards a fresh deal with the club.
So perhaps they don’t need to spend more on another defender.
OTHER RUMORS
play
2:30
Laurens: Glasner is tarnishing his Crystal Palace legacy
Gab & Juls discuss Oliver Glasner’s future at Crystal Palace.
– Juventus and USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie are “one step away” from sealing an agreement for a new contract extension. (Nicolo Schira)
– Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is open to a switch to MLS. (Telegraph)
– Manchester United and defender Harry Maguire remain in talks regarding a new contract, with ‘positive signs’ that a deal could be reached. (BBC)
– Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson remains on the radar of Atletico Madrid. He has also attracted attention from Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. (Caught Offside)
– Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea remain interested in Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-Jae (Football Insider)
– Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior wants to keep hold of striker Liam Delap amid interest from Everton. (Football Insider)
– Boca Juniors are interested in Roma forward Paulo Dybala when his contract at the Stadio Olimpico expires. (Matteo Moretto)
– Marseille are unlikely to activate the permanent option clause to sign on-loan defender Benjamin Pavard from Internazionale in the summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Galatasaray are considering a move for Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Juventus are weighing up an approach to sign Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi. (Corriere dello Sport)
– Internazionale are monitoring the situation of Udinese defender Oumar Solet, and recently sent scouts to watch him. (Nicolo Schira)
– Athletic Club could make another attempt to sign Girona midfielder Ivan Martin in the summer. (Marca)
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