19/02/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | FEB 19, 2026

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Nepal wrap up WC campaign with win over Scotland

NEPAL beat Scotland by seven wickets in a Twenty20 World Cup Group C dead rubber in Mumbai yesterday as the Himalayan side signed off from the tournament with a memorable vic tory. Both teams were already packing their bags after the West Indies and England had sealed progress to the Super Eight, but that did not stop Nepal’s fans from turning up in numbers to cre ate a party atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium. Chasing 171 for their first victory of the tour nament, Nepal got there with four balls to spare thanks to Dipendra Singh Airee’s explosive

boundaries and three sixes while he was joined at the other end by Gulsan Jha (24 not out), who hit the winning runs before Nepal took a lap of honour around the ground. “The atmosphere was incredible, we always knew it would be a tough game against Nepal, with the crowd behind them,” Scotland skipper Richie Berrington said. “But a lot of credit has to go to Dipendra. The way he’s come out and played, he’s changed the whole tempo of the game.” Earlier, Scotland had posted a competitive 170-7 after being put in to bat, with opener Michael Jones blazing to 71 off 45 balls. – Reuters Australia’s Marcus Stoinis reacts during the group stage match against Sri Lanka at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. – AFPPIC

74-0 in nine overs with Kushal Bhurtel’s brisk 43 off 35 deliveries setting the tone, but Michael Leask had other ideas.

unbeaten 50 off 23 balls. “First of all, I would like to thank the fans. They came to India and to Mumbai and supported us a lot. Our confidence also

The Scotland spinner took three swift wickets to leave Nepal wobbling at 98-3. Leask conceded only 10 runs in his first three overs but he went for 20 in his last over as Dipendra wel comed him back with two massive sixes to raise the volume at the Wankhede.

increased, I am very happy,” Dipendra said after picking up the player of the match award. “In the last World Cup, we didn’t win a single match. So, that’s why this win is very important for us,” he added. “It is one of my best innings, especially while chasing.” Nepal looked to be cruising at

Dipendra’s fireworks dis play included four

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Bowlers, selectors under fire after Australia’s disappointing T20 World Cup exit C RITICS hammered Australia’s bowling line-up and selection “stuff-ups” after the country’s shock T20 World Cup exit in the Outrage Down Under

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He flew in as cover last week and was formally added to the Australia squad at the weekend, after their surprise loss to Zimbabwe on Friday. “We still haven’t had a compelling answer as to why he wasn’t yet in Colombo for the match against Zimbabwe, five days after Marsh was injured in the nets,” The Australian said. Then Smith was left out for the must-win game against Sri Lanka on Monday which saw an Australia middle-order collapse as they lost by eight wickets. “We don’t have that bowling depth, and that’s really shown,” former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg told British sports radio Talksport . “We really weren’t prepared enough for this particular World Cup, and we probably deserve what we’ve got at this stage.” Selectors and coaching staff will likely be under pressure over Australia’s performance, Hogg said. “They’ve got to plan. They’ve got to look at their depth of bowling here in Australia, especially when we lose Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc. What’s our next generation going to look (like) – that’s probably going to be the big question.” British journalist Piers Morgan, who delights in needling Australia, posted his condolences along with a prayer emoji on social media: “My thoughts with @CricketAus at this very difficult time.” As Australia go back to the drawing board, Zimbabwe captain Skiander Raza hailed his side’s achievement in reaching the last eight, but warned there were tougher battles to come. “We have come this far. We will celebrate but we have a game against Sri Lanka to come,” said Raza. “This is only a tick in the box and this is not the only thing that we set out for. Everyone loves an underdog story.” – AFP

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group stages. The 2021 champions were knocked out of the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka yesterday. Zimbabwe qualified after their match against Ireland was rained off without a ball being bowled. The washout gave each side one point, and left Australia unable to catch up. Their campaign has been widely attacked as “shambolic”. Australia lost leading pace bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to injury, while captain Mitchell Marsh missed the first two games after being hit in the groin in training and suffering testicular bleeding. Their pace attack has been a “shadow of former glories” without Hazlewood, Cummins or Mitchell Starc, who has retired from the format internationally, The Australian newspaper said. Looking back on happier days, the paper recalled that Australia won five and drew one in their six T20 internationals from September 2024 to October 2025. “The trouble is that a host of players who had been central to those series wins have fallen off a cliff when the stakes are at their highest.” It cited “major drops” in output by Cameron Green, Tim David, Josh Inglis, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis, with series losses against India and Pakistan. The paper attacked selection “stuff-ups”, too, criticising the inclusion of Cooper Connolly as being like “throwing a lamb to the slaughter”. Test great Steve Smith was left out despite being in terrific form top of the order in the Big Bash League and his expertise in playing against spin bowling.

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