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Pakistan’s semi-final qualification scenario after England defeat New Zealand

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Pakistan’s semi-final qualification scenario after England defeat New Zealand


Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha (left) shake hands with England captain Harry Brook at the toss during the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eight match on February 24, 2026. — PCB

Two-time champions England secured a hard-fought four-wicket win over New Zealand in a crucial Super Eights clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner’s decision to bat first backfired as they could muster 159/7 in their allotted 20 overs against a spin-heavy England bowling attack.

Middle-order batter Glenn Phillips remained the top-scorer for New Zealand with a 28-ball 39, followed by openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, who made 35 and 29, respectively.

For England, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed bagged two wickets each, while Liam Dawson chipped in with one.

In turn, England chased down the 160-run target for the loss of six wickets and three balls to spare, courtesy of a quickfire 44-run unbeaten partnership for the seventh wicket between Jacks and Rehan.

Jacks made an unbeaten 32 off just 18 deliveries, smashing four fours and a six, while Rehan scored 19 not out from seven balls with the help of two sixes and a four.

Rachin Ravindra was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, taking three wickets for just 19 runs in his four overs, while Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and Phillips could bag one apiece.

England’s victory put New Zealand’s hopes of semi-final qualification on hold, besides keeping Pakistan in contention, who next face co-hosts Sri Lanka in the last Group 2 Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Kandy on Saturday.

Pakistan, placed third in Group 2 standings with one point in two matches, now need to beat Sri Lanka by around 65 runs or chase down the target in 13.1 overs to better New Zealand’s net run rate of 1.390.

The Green Shirts’ net run rate, however, currently stands at a negative 0.461, and if they fail to beat Sri Lanka by a substantial margin, New Zealand would join England in qualifying for the semi-finals from Group 2.





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Moya Brennan, Clannad star, face of Irish folk music, dies aged 73

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Moya Brennan, Clannad star, face of Irish folk music, dies aged 73


Moya Brennan, Clannad star, face of Irish folk music, dies aged 73

The face of Irish folk music, Moya Brennan, Clannad star has died at age 73.

Brennan was widely recognized as the voice of Celtic Ireland.

The singer, harpist and songwriter passed away in Donegal surrounded by her loved ones.

Moya Brennan, who was the face of Irish music, best known as part of the Irish family band, which emerged in the 1970s and later won a Bafta and a Grammy for their folk albums.

She was born in West Donegal as Maire Philomena on August 5, 1952, the eldest of nine children in the famous O’Braonain family.

Moya Brennan rose to fame when she started performing with her family in Clannad.

Moya and her siblings, Pol and Ciaran, along with their twin uncles Noel and Padraig O Dugain, started singing regularly at the family’s pub in Min na Leice.

The band went by the name Clan as Dobhar (Family from Dore) but shortened their name to Clannad in 1973.

Their big breakthrough arrived in 1982, when their theme buzzing song for the TV series Harry’s Game became a worldwide sensation.

For context, it was the first Irish-language track to reach the UK charts, which they performed on Top of the Pops.

The song won an Ivor Novello Award, with a Grammy and a Billboard Music Award later coming its way.

Clannad didn’t stop there, they again crashed the charts with another number one duet with Bono, Once In a Lifetime.

The band would go on to release 25 albums and sell 20 million records globally.

She is survived by her husband, Tim Jarvis, and their two children, Aisling and Paul.





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Ryan Reynolds ‘unwantedly’ caught in Blake Lively legal mess

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Ryan Reynolds ‘unwantedly’ caught in Blake Lively legal mess


Ryan Reynolds ‘unwantedly’ caught in Blake Lively legal mess 

It’s giving courtroom drama… with a side of marital tension.

Ryan Reynolds is publicly standing firm beside Blake Lively – but behind the scene, the tone might be a little less superhero, a little more “can we wrap this up?”

As the Gossip Girl alum’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni edges closer to trial, Reynolds has now been pulled directly into the spotlight as a potential witness. And according to insiders, that’s not exactly his dream role.

“Ryan is fully supportive publicly,” a source said. “But privately? He wants this settled.”

Because at this point, it’s no longer just Lively’s fight.

“This is pulling him in — and he knows it,” the source added. “He doesn’t want to be dragged through court.”

Understandable, considering what’s on the line.

“He’s worried this is going to destroy him too,” the insider claimed. “His brand, his reputation — everything.”

And things are not exactly getting simpler. After reports of legal setbacks and dismissed claims, some close to the situation are questioning the game plan.

“A lot of people think this should have been settled already,” the source said. “Now it’s getting bigger, messier, and harder to control.”

Reynolds potentially taking the stand? That’s where things get really uncomfortable.

“That’s a nightmare scenario for him,” the insider noted. “He’s now part of the story whether he likes it or not.”

Meanwhile, Lively is not hitting pause anytime soon.

“She’s not backing down,” the source said. “But he wishes she would.”

In other words?

“He wants out… before this takes them both down with it.”

For those unversed, Justin Baldoni and Lively’s trial is scheduled to begin on May 18, with the three out of 13 claims that Lively initially filed.

In a recent hearing, the judge dismissed the 10 claims on lack of grounding. 





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‘Bridgerton’ star Phoebe Dynevor breaks silence on comeback

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‘Bridgerton’ star Phoebe Dynevor breaks silence on comeback


‘Bridgerton’ star Phoebe Dynevor breaks silence on comeback 

Dear Bridgeton fans: Daphne has not ghosted the ton – she just hasn’t been invited back… yet.

Phoebe Dynevor, who led the season one of Bridgerton alongside Regé-Jean Page, is setting the record straight about her noticeable absence.

“I just want to say I have not received a call,” she shared, “and when I get that call, I will be there if I can.”

Translation: the duchess is booked… but available.

After a brief cameo in season two – where Daphne offered some sisterly wisdom to Jonathan Bailey’s Anthony – the character quietly disappeared while the show moved on to other sibling’s love lives.

According to Dynevor, that was not exactly part of some grand plan.

“When the first season came out they didn’t know what they needed to put in place,” she explained. “So we were like the ones that got away I think, in a certain way… I would always come back if I was asked.”

So yes, she’s open Very open.

As for her on-screen husband, things are a bit more complicated – Page has been less eager to reprise Simon. But don’t expect a recast plot twist.

Showrunner Jess Brownell shut that idea down fast, calling it a “disservice” to what the original actors built.

“We would love to potentially have them back… when we have something really meaty for them.”

For now, future seasons are already lined up – but if Daphne does return, except it to be worth the wait.





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