Sports LIVE updates: Namibia batters fails to answer spinners question, India wins the match with commanding 93 runs and top the chart

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India tops the chart with two wins in two matches

India defeated Namibia by 93 runs as Namibia failed to chase India's commanding 209 for 9 in 20 overs. Namibia were bowled out for 116 in 18.2 overs despite a few brisk cameos. Louwrens Steenkamp top-scored with 29 off 20, while Jan Frylinck struck 22 and captain Gerhard Erasmus made an aggressive 18 off 11. However, regular wickets derailed the chase. Varun Chakravarthy starred with the ball, claiming 3 for 7 in two overs, and Axar Patel picked up two crucial wickets. Hardik Pandya also grabbed two, as India’s disciplined bowling attack sealed a comprehensive victory.

A series of breakthroughs takes India on top

Namibia fails to answer the Indian spinners' question, and as a result, they have lost a series of wickets. Axar Patel and Varun cahkravarthy has changed the colour of the game. Bowling his third over, Axar Patel has taken two wickets till now, while Varun also picked two wickets and only conceded seven runs in three overs. Namibia is now playing with 99 runs on board, losing six wickets in 13.4 overs.

Arshdeep strikes the first

Coming to bowl at the third over, Arshdeep Singh took Jan Frylinck's wicket and provided the first breakthrough for India. Frylinck was looking good, scoring 22 runs, but failed to convert the start after hitting the ball straight to Shivam Dube's hand. Namibia is on 37 runs, losing one wicket after 4.4 overs.

Team India set 210 runs target for Namibia

India piled up a commanding 209/9 in 20 overs after a blistering start. Ishan Kishan smashed 61 off 24 balls, setting the tone with fearless strokeplay, while Sanju Samson added 22 in a rapid opening stand. The momentum dipped briefly with fall of wickets at 25/1, 104/2, 120/3 and 124/4, but Hardik Pandya’s explosive 52 off 28 revived the innings during the death overs. Late strikes saw India slip from 205/5 to 209/9. For Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus delivered a top-notch spell, claiming 4/20 in four overs, applying brakes through the middle phase and triggering a mini-collapse with disciplined, incisive bowling.

Back-to-back wickets trouble India's finishing

The Indian team lost three wickets in just one over from Erasmus, leading to a lack of momentum as they headed back to the dressing room. Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel all departed in the 19th over.

One more top-order collapse for India

Namibian captain Erasmus has secured two important breakthroughs for his team by dismissing the promising Ishan and Tilak Varma. Tilak Varma, who was in good form, fell after playing a lofted shot and was caught by Smit. India now has a total of 134 runs and has lost four wickets.

Surya Kumar Yadav fails to convert the start

India is currently batting with three wickets down. Surya Kumar Yadav, the Indian captain, failed to connect with a delivery from Scholtz and was stumped by Zane Green, he departs after scoring 12 runs.

Ishan Kishan departs, India crosses 100

The two Indian left-handers have continued the carnage, which started with Sanju's little blistering innings, as India crosses the 100-run mark in just 8 overs. Ishan Kishan has fallen after hammering 61 runs in just 24 balls. As of now, India is standing with 119 runs in just 10 overs, losing two wickets.

India 35/1 in 3 overs as Kishan survives, Samson departs

Ishan Kishan had a brief scare after being given out by the umpire, but he immediately reviewed the decision. Replays confirmed a thick inside edge before the ball struck his pads, allowing him to survive. Earlier in the over, he had already found the boundary twice. At the other end, Sanju Samson’s brisk cameo came to an end on the final ball of Ben Shikongo’s over. Attempting another aerial stroke, he miscued a flick and failed to get proper connection. The ball was safely pouched by Louren Steenkamp at mid-wicket, sending Samson back for 22 as India reached 35/1 after three overs.

Samson-Ishan- India's new opening pair in action

Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson have begun the innings together for the first time, with Ruben Trumpelmann taking the new ball. Trumpelmann delivered a disciplined opening over, probing Samson with deliveries shaping in from outside off. Just as the pressure began to build, Samson responded in style, launching the final ball of the over for a six to ease the early tension. India move to 8/0 after one over.

Namibia have won the toss and opted to field first

India is all set to face Namibia in their second group match in Delhi. Winning the toss, Namibia have chosen to bowl first; both teams have made two changes in the squad. Jasprit Bumrah comes in place of Mohammad Siraj, and Sanju Samson will replace the injured Abhishek Sharma, who is ill.

Italy gets its first-ever World Cup victory

Italy sealed a dominant 10-wicket victory over Nepal in a one-sided T20 encounter. After restricting Nepal to 123 for 10 in 19.3 overs, led by Crishan Kalugamage’s three wickets and tidy spells from Ben Manenti and Jaspreet Singh, Italy’s openers made light work of the chase. Anthony Mosca smashed 62 off 32 balls, while Justin Mosca anchored with an unbeaten 60, as Italy cruised to 124 without loss in just 12.4 overs.

Italy race to 68/0 in dominant powerplay

Italy stormed to 68 without loss at the end of the Powerplay, launching a commanding chase with confidence and control. Justin Mosca ensured there were no early jitters, smashing a six in the opening over and following it up with a boundary in the next as Italy quickly settled into the pursuit, needing barely a run-a-ball. Alongside his brother AJ Mosca, he accelerated sharply — the pair plundered 20 runs in one over off Rajbanshi, bringing up a 50-run partnership inside four overs with a flurry of sixes and boundaries. Even Lamichhane was taken apart, underlining Italy’s intent and erasing memories of their Scotland setback. Earlier, Ali Hasan had given Italy momentum by dismissing Kushal Bhurtel after Nepal opted to bat, though Rohit Paudel briefly counter-attacked. While the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina dominate attention back home, Italy’s cricket team, making its World Cup bow far from the Alps, is delivering a performance of real authority.

India probable XI

India is expected to tweak their playing XI for the T20 World Cup clash against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Despite opening their campaign with a win over the USA on February 7, the team management appears ready to make a few changes after a five-day gap between matches. Abhishek Sharma remains doubtful after recovering from a stomach infection. He was discharged from the hospital yesterday, but a final decision on his availability will be made today. With bigger fixtures ahead in the tournament, the team is unlikely to take any risks with his fitness.India probable XISanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh. Read the full story

Italy bowl out Nepal for 123 in a dominant display

Italy produced a clinical bowling performance to dismiss Nepal for 123, underlining why they belong on the T20 World Cup stage. After Nepal were put in to bat, Ali Hasan struck early to remove Kushal Bhurtel, but Rohit Paudel briefly counter-attacked to steady the innings. However, Italy kept chipping away, with Harry Manenti playing a decisive role in the final stages — taking a catch and effecting a sharp direct-hit run-out to wrap up the innings. Nepal, who were looking to push towards 140 in the final over with Karan KC stranded on 18* off 11, ultimately fell well short, leaving Italy firmly on top.

Nepal 46/1 after 6 overs as Sheikh steadies the innings

Nepal reached 46/1 at the end of six overs, recovering well after an early setback. Kushal Bhurtel fell for 8/1 after 2 overs, caught at square cover off Ali Hasan, who also earlier conceded a boundary despite delivering a near-perfect yorker to Aasif Sheikh. Sheikh survived that chance and anchored the innings, helping Nepal add 36 runs in the last three overs of the Powerplay. He continued to rotate strike effectively, while Rohit chipped in with singles, ensuring a strong second half of the Powerplay.

Probable Playing XIs

Nepal (probable XI): Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Sher Malla, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane Italy (probable XI): Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen (c), Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Marcus Campopiano, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan

Nepal vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026: Live streaming, match time, venue and where to watch

The Nepal vs Italy Group C match will be played on Thursday, February 12, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The match will begin at 3 PM IST, while the toss is scheduled for 2:30 PM. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India. Fans can also watch the live streaming on the JioStar app and website.

Bangladesh cricketers say they are 'helpless'

Bangladesh's sports advisor, Asif Nazrul, spoke about the country's absence from the T20 World Cup. He held the cricketers and the board responsible, which led to negative reactions from the players who said that they were not consulted about the choice to withdraw from the tournament, as reported by News 18. Bangladesh was removed from the T20 World Cup by the ICC after deciding not to travel to India. Many believed the government had made that decision. However, Nazrul clarified on Tuesday that it was actually the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the cricketers who were hesitant to make the trip. Read the full story.

'Stop circulating this misleading content', Rajeev Shukla slams Shoaib Malik for airing ‘doctored’ AI audio on Pakistan TV

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Wednesday strongly objected to what he described as a manipulated, AI-generated audio clip aired during a talk show on a Pakistani news channel. The programme, featuring former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik, revolved around the upcoming India-Pakistan clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. During the discussion, Malik introduced an audio clip that he claimed featured Shukla’s remarks. “I would like to show you a clip of BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla,” Malik told the panel before playing the recording. The clip, accompanied by an image of Shukla addressing the media, suggested that the ICC had acted on repeated requests from the BCCI to persuade the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to withdraw its boycott threat. Read the full story.