Multan Sultans underlined their status as early favourites in PSL 2026 with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz, chasing down a target of 182 with nearly four overs to spare. The chase was anchored by a scintillating knock from Sahibzada Farhan, who continued his rich vein of form with a blistering 68 off 38 deliveries. He found strong support in Josh Philippe, who notched up his second half-century of the tournament. The duo stitched together a match-defining 110-run partnership off just 58 balls, effectively taking the game away from Rawalpindiz. Despite an early breakthrough by Mohammad Amir, who dismissed Steve Smith, Rawalpindiz failed to maintain pressure. Farhan soon counterattacked, taking Amir apart with consecutive sixes, setting the tone for the innings as Sultans raced to 58 in the Powerplay. Rawalpindiz’s bowling attack struggled to contain the onslaught. Philippe accelerated further, targeting Mohammad Amir Khan and Rishad Hossain in successive overs. Although both Farhan and Philippe eventually fell after their aggressive fifties, the damage had been done, leaving Shan Masood and Ashton Turner to comfortably finish the chase. Earlier, Rawalpindiz posted 181, largely thanks to a late surge from Sam Billings, who scored an unbeaten 56 off 34 balls. However, their innings was derailed in the middle overs by an exceptional spell from left-arm wrist-spinner Faisal Akram. His four wickets, including the key dismissal of Daryl Mitchell, broke the backbone of Rawalpindiz’s batting lineup. Brief contributions from Kamran Ghulam and Abdullah Fazal gave Rawalpindiz a steady start, while Dian Forrester added late fireworks with three consecutive sixes. Still, the lack of sustained partnerships meant they fell short of a par score on a batting-friendly pitch. In the end, the total proved insufficient against a well-balanced and in-form Multan Sultans side, who executed both with ball and bat to register a comprehensive win.

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has raised concerns over Cameron Green’s underwhelming start to IPL 2026, suggesting that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) allrounder appears “tentative” and lacking the confidence that once defined his batting. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut programme, Finch pointed out that Green has struggled to make an impact in his first three outings this season. Despite being bought for a record INR 25.20 crore—making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history—Green has failed to convert his starts into meaningful contributions. The 26-year-old began his campaign with a quick 18 off 10 balls against Mumbai Indians, followed by a run-out for 2 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His latest outing against Punjab Kings ended quickly as he was dismissed for a duck, caught behind off Xavier Bartlett in a rain-affected match. “There’s a bit of panic, he’s not looking the same as before,” Finch observed. “He was imposing at the crease earlier, especially during his time at Mumbai Indians, but now he looks unsure.” Finch referenced Green’s standout 2023 season, where he scored 452 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate above 160 while batting at No. 3. In contrast, his current performances have lacked the same authority and intent. The former opener also advised KKR against demoting Green in the batting order. “Don’t push him down. Either promote him up the order or consider giving him a break,” Finch suggested, highlighting inconsistency in Green’s batting positions this season. Beyond individual performances, Finch was critical of KKR’s tactical decisions—particularly their choice to bat first in a rain-hit fixture at Eden Gardens. With the pitch covered for extended periods and moisture aiding seam movement, Finch felt the decision backfired. “Batting first in those conditions makes no sense,” he said. “There was cloud cover, rain around, and the pitch had been under covers. All indicators suggested bowling first, especially with DLS potentially coming into play.” KKR will look to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Lucknow Super Giants on April 9 in Kolkata, hoping both their strategy and their marquee signing can turn things around.

Sussex County Cricket Club overcame a challenging start to their season with a commanding 222-run win against Leicestershire County Cricket Club in the Rothesay County Championship, marking an emphatic response to their pre-season points deduction. Arriving at Uptonsteel County Ground with a 12-point deficit due to financial sanctions agreed with the England and Wales Cricket Board, Sussex quickly put their troubles behind them with a dominant all-round performance. Set a daunting target of 481, Leicestershire resumed the final day on 125 for five, with defeat appearing inevitable. However, Stevie Eskinazi (54) and Ben Cox (60) provided brief resistance, combining for a 103-run sixth-wicket partnership that delayed Sussex’s victory until after lunch. The breakthrough eventually came when Fynn Hudson-Prentice dismissed Eskinazi, triggering a collapse. Cox soon followed, and Sussex wrapped up the innings for 258 early in the afternoon session. Fast bowler Henry Crocombe was the standout performer, claiming four wickets in the second innings to finish with match figures of nine for 69. He was well supported by captain Ollie Robinson, who had earlier taken five wickets in the first innings. Sussex’s dominance was established from the outset of the match. Tom Clark laid the foundation with a century, while Robinson and Crocombe combined to bowl Leicestershire out for 245 in their first innings, despite a spirited 83 on debut from Australian opener Jake Weatherald. In the second innings, a crucial 119-run partnership between Jack Carson and debutant Tom Price further extended Sussex’s advantage, effectively ending any hopes of a Leicestershire comeback. Although Leicestershire showed determination on the final day, including a patient effort against spin from Carson and James Coles, they were unable to recover from the early deficit. The victory lifts Sussex out of the bottom positions in Division One and provides early momentum in their campaign. However, the team faces fresh injury concerns, with new signing Dom Goodman ruled out for three months with a broken rib, while Sean Hunt is also expected to spend time on the sidelines. Sussex will look to build on this strong start when they host Warwickshire County Cricket Club in their next fixture at Hove.

Sri Lanka’s preparations for a busy cricketing calendar have hit a hurdle, with several centrally contracted players yet to meet mandatory fitness standards set by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Among the notable names are Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana, both of whom are still awaiting their fitness assessments. According to SLC, only 24 out of 45 centrally contracted players have successfully passed the required tests so far. While 15 players are yet to undergo evaluation due to reasons ranging from injuries to logistical challenges, six others have reportedly failed at least one attempt. The situation surrounding Hasaranga is particularly concerning. The 28-year-old leg-spinner has been sidelined since suffering a left hamstring tear during Sri Lanka’s opening match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup against Ireland in February. Compounding matters, he has not yet applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which is necessary for participation in overseas leagues, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, where he is expected to feature for the Lucknow Super Giants. Pathirana, meanwhile, appears closer to a return. The young fast bowler sustained a calf strain during Sri Lanka’s match against Australia in the same tournament but has since resumed bowling in the nets. Sources indicate he could travel to India by mid-April to join the Kolkata Knight Riders, although his official fitness test is still pending and likely to take place soon. SLC’s renewed emphasis on fitness extends beyond the national squad to domestic cricket. The ongoing National Super League has also implemented baseline fitness requirements. While these are less demanding than those for centrally contracted players, participants must still meet minimum standards, including a 2km run and skinfold test. For centrally contracted players, the criteria are more rigorous, featuring a 20m sprint, 5-0-5 agility test, Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), and endurance and body composition assessments. Players must accumulate at least 17 out of a possible 29 points to pass. Out of the 87 players competing in the National Super League, 23 have failed to meet the minimum fitness standards and have been given a deadline of April 19 to comply. Failure to do so will result in the loss of match fees, although players may still be allowed to participate, with their future involvement under review. With the IPL fast approaching, the fitness status of key players like Hasaranga and Pathirana remains a major concern for both Sri Lanka and their respective franchises.

Veteran seamer Toby Roland-Jones delivered a superb five-wicket haul to put Middlesex County Cricket Club firmly in control against Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in their opening-round clash of the Rothesay County Championship at Lord's Cricket Ground. The 38-year-old paceman, who was among the leading wicket-takers in Division Two last season, produced an outstanding spell of 5 for 37 as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 216, conceding a significant first-innings deficit of 229. Roland-Jones found strong support from spinner Zafar Gohar, who claimed three wickets against his former side, while young seamer Naavya Sharma chipped in with two. Resuming their innings cautiously, Gloucestershire struggled to build momentum. James Bracey showed early promise with a couple of boundaries but fell to Roland-Jones after edging to the gully. Miles Hammond, who had reached 77, was another key scalp, top-edging a pull shot to be dismissed in frustration. Further resistance came from Graeme van Buuren, who battled for 26, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Middlesex tightened their grip. Lower-order contributions briefly delayed the inevitable, with Will Williams and Gabe Bell adding valuable runs to push Gloucestershire past 200. The innings was wrapped up soon after lunch when Sharma forced Bell into a short-leg catch, triggering the follow-on. Gloucestershire’s second innings got off to a disastrous start when captain Cameron Bancroft was bowled for a duck by Sebastian Morgan. A resilient partnership between Ben Charlesworth and Joe Phillips steadied the innings, with the pair adding 78 runs through disciplined batting. Phillips looked set for a half-century before Morgan struck again, bowling him for 45. Charlesworth followed soon after for 33, undone by a rising delivery from Roland-Jones. Despite a couple of chances going down late in the day, including a dropped catch by Josh de Caires, Gloucestershire closed on 120 for three. Still trailing by over 100 runs, Gloucestershire face a daunting task on the final day, while Middlesex remain firmly on course for a strong opening victory.

Multan Sultans climbed back to the top of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) points table with a commanding six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night. The win was set up by a clinical spin-bowling performance and a match-defining half-century from Steven Smith. Chasing a target of 167, the Sultans got off to a blistering start thanks to Smith and Sahibzada Farhan. The duo raced to 63 runs within the first four overs, bringing up their 50-run partnership in just 3.2 overs. By the end of the powerplay, Multan had reached 83 for 1, equalling their own record for the highest powerplay score this season. Smith, who registered his maiden PSL half-century, played a pivotal role in dismantling the Gladiators’ bowling attack. His aggressive approach ensured the chase was well under control early, leaving Multan needing just 84 runs from 84 balls at one stage. After Smith’s dismissal — courtesy of an excellent relay catch at the boundary — Shan Masood anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 40 off 36 balls. His steady presence ensured there were no late hiccups as Sultans comfortably chased down the target. Earlier, Multan’s strategy to deploy spin heavily proved decisive. Opting to bowl as many as 16 overs of spin on a batting-friendly surface, the Sultans capitalized on Quetta’s vulnerability against turn. The move paid immediate dividends as Khawaja Nafay and Shamyl Hussain were dismissed within the first 2.1 overs. Quetta attempted a recovery through Saud Shakeel and Hasan Nawaz, who stitched together a 55-run partnership. However, the momentum was broken by a sharp stumping from Josh Philippe off Arafat Minhas, who emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 2 for 14. Mohammad Nawaz further tightened the grip with three crucial wickets. Despite a resilient 56 from Shakeel, Quetta struggled to accelerate. Late contributions from Bevon Jacobs (49 not out off 31) and Ahmed Daniyal (22 off 9) pushed the total to 166, though Daniyal’s innings was cut short due to a hamstring injury. Multan’s spinners dominated proceedings, conceding just 91 runs across 16 overs while claiming all six wickets. The disciplined bowling effort laid the foundation for a comfortable chase. With this win — their third in four matches — Multan Sultans reaffirmed their strong form and secured the top spot in the standings, further establishing themselves as early contenders in the tournament.

A clinical bowling display from Mohammed Shami followed by a composed half-century from Rishabh Pant guided Lucknow Super Giants to their first win of IPL 2026, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets in Hyderabad. After opting to field first, Pant’s decision paid immediate dividends as Shami delivered a masterclass in the powerplay. The veteran pacer returned exceptional figures of 2 for 9, removing Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head cheaply to put SRH under early pressure. SRH’s troubles deepened when Ishan Kishan and Liam Livingstone fell in quick succession, leaving them reeling at 26 for 4 inside eight overs. However, a remarkable recovery followed as Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy stitched together a 116-run partnership — the highest fifth-wicket stand in SRH’s history. Both batters notched up half-centuries, with Klaasen reaching his fifty in 33 balls and Reddy in 30, shifting momentum in SRH’s favour. At 123 for 4 after 16 overs, SRH looked set for a formidable total. However, LSG’s bowlers staged a strong comeback in the death overs. Avesh Khan and his teammates triggered a collapse, picking up crucial wickets and restricting SRH to 156 for 9. Klaasen and Reddy were both dismissed in quick succession, halting the scoring surge as SRH managed only 33 runs in the final four overs. In response, Aiden Markram provided LSG with a solid start, scoring a fluent 45 off 27 balls. He set the tone early despite a sluggish pitch that made strokeplay difficult. Wickets, however, fell at regular intervals, keeping the chase tense. Pant, who struggled for fluency initially, held one end together. With 43 runs required off the last five overs, the match hung in the balance. The equation came down to nine runs needed off the final over bowled by Jaydev Unadkat. Pant rose to the occasion, smashing two boundaries off the first two balls to level the scores. After two dot deliveries, he sealed the victory in style, lofting the ball over mid-off. Pant’s unbeaten half-century anchored the chase and ensured LSG crossed the finish line with five wickets in hand. Earlier, Shami’s disciplined spell had laid the foundation for the win, while key contributions from Markram and Pant completed a much-needed victory for LSG in the tournament.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won his first toss in three matches and elected to bowl against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026. After suffering back-to-back defeats, CSK made a key change to their playing XI, bringing back England allrounder Jamie Overton. The move increased their overseas player count to three, having fielded only two in their previous outing against Punjab Kings. Gaikwad also provided an update on veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni, stating that he is recovering well from a calf injury. However, CSK continued to miss the services of Dewald Brevis, who is sidelined with a side strain. Despite the reshuffle, there was still no place in the XI for West Indies allrounder Akeal Hosein. Left-arm spinning allrounder Prashant Veer retained his spot, even though he did not bowl in the previous match. CSK also left out their high-profile ₹14.2 crore signing Kartik Sharma from the starting XI, placing him on the Impact Substitute bench alongside Australian allrounder Matt Short. One of the two is expected to bolster the batting lineup during the chase. Meanwhile, RCB stuck with the same combination that secured victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening match of the season at this venue. Captain Rajat Patidar opted for continuity, with wristspinner Suyash Sharma likely to be introduced as an Impact Substitute when they take the field. The RCB lineup features prominent names including Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, while CSK’s batting order includes Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Sarfaraz Khan. With CSK aiming to bounce back from consecutive losses and RCB looking to maintain their winning momentum, the contest promises to be a crucial early-season clash in IPL 2026.

In a dramatic turn of events, three directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) resigned within hours of each other following a lengthy board meeting in Dhaka on Saturday, deepening the ongoing crisis within the. The resignations came in quick succession, with Faiazur Rahman informing the board shortly after the meeting concluded. Soon after, Shanian Taneem and Mehrab Alam Chowdhury also stepped down. Their departures bring the total number of board directors who have resigned in less than six months since the last BCB elections to six. The wave of exits began earlier this year when Ishtiaque Sadeque resigned in January citing personal reasons. In March, Amzad Hossain stepped down shortly after being removed as media committee chairman. Most recently, Yasir Mohammed Faysal, a government-nominated director, resigned just days before Saturday’s developments. Details of what transpired during the board meeting remain unclear. The session was chaired by BCB president Aminul Islam, while vice-president Faruque Ahmed joined virtually due to illness. Following the meeting, newly appointed media committee chairman Mohammad Mokhsedul Kamal stated that the board had not discussed the resignations formally. “We haven't discussed this at the board. Those who resigned cited personal reasons for their decision,” Kamal told reporters. “Faiazur attended the meeting with us. We only heard about his resignation afterward through the news.” Faiazur had recently voiced concerns over the BCB’s handling of domestic leagues, particularly criticizing the lack of initiative in properly organizing Dhaka’s cricket competitions. The sudden cluster of resignations has raised serious concerns, especially given that elected BCB directors typically serve full terms. The situation is further complicated by ongoing government scrutiny of the board. A committee is currently investigating the BCB elections held in October last year, with its report expected to be submitted to the sports ministry soon. Additionally, Sports Minister Aminul Haque has called for further inquiries, including one into Bangladesh’s absence from the recent T20 World Cup and allegations of political favoritism within the board. With six directors stepping down in rapid succession and multiple investigations underway, the BCB faces increasing uncertainty about its governance and future direction.

Gujarat Titans (GT) batting coach Matthew Hayden has called for improved discipline from his bowlers after the team slumped to a second consecutive defeat in IPL 2026, this time against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). GT’s six-run loss at home was shaped by small but decisive margins, including a noticeable difference in extras. GT conceded nine wides compared to RR’s three — a gap Hayden acknowledged as significant, though not solely responsible for the result. “It just shows the margins in these games are so small,” Hayden said in the post-match press conference. “The discipline around wides and consistently bowling the best ball is something we need to improve.” Star Bowlers Off Rhythm GT’s premier bowlers struggled to maintain accuracy. Kagiso Rabada returned figures of 2 for 42, while Rashid Khan finished with 1 for 39. Mohammed Siraj endured an off day, conceding 48 runs for just one wicket. Hayden noted that while Rabada and Rashid were not at their sharpest, their performances were not as poor as the figures suggested. Siraj, however, struggled with his line and length. “He was a little bit too short and too wide,” Hayden said. “That’s just a great bowler having an off day.” Batting Concerns Persist GT’s struggles were not limited to bowling. Their batting has also lacked firepower, particularly in six-hitting. Against RR, GT struck 24 fours but only seven sixes, compared to RR’s 12 maximums. A similar pattern emerged in their previous match against Punjab Kings. Hayden pointed out that while GT have rotated strike effectively, their inability to match opponents in big hitting has hurt them in crucial moments. Middle-Order Collapse Costs GT Chasing a challenging target of 210, GT appeared in control at 103 for 1 after 10 overs. However, a dramatic collapse followed, triggered largely by Ravi Bishnoi’s spell. GT slipped from 107 for 1 to 161 for 7 within four overs. A key moment came when Washington Sundar attempted an aggressive shot against Bishnoi and was dismissed. Hayden suggested the decision-making at that stage could have been more measured. “There wasn’t a lot that went wrong in the first 12 overs,” Hayden said. “But those moments — whether to attack or consolidate — become crucial.” Costly Mistakes in the Field GT were also hurt by a run-out involving Shahrukh Khan, with Rashid Khan at the other end. Hayden highlighted the sharp fielding of Ravindra Jadeja as a decisive factor in that play. “Those two wickets straightaway could have been the difference,” he said, reiterating how fine the margins were in a six-run game. Looking Ahead GT will aim to regroup quickly as they prepare to face the in-form Delhi Capitals, who have won both their matches so far, in Delhi on Wednesday. With back-to-back defeats placing them alongside Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings in an unwanted early-season record, Hayden emphasized the need for sharper execution in both bowling and batting. “In T20 cricket, especially when chasing big totals, those small decisions and moments make all the difference,” he said.