India skipper Kaur admits fielding is a concern ahead of Australia clash

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed satisfaction after her side completed a comfortable five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, but admitted fielding remains a major area of concern ahead of a crucial clash against Australia.

India chased down 137 in 16.5 overs at Old Trafford on Thursday, thanks largely to Shafali Verma's explosive 53 off 34 balls after the bowlers had restricted Bangladesh to 136/8. albergomalica.it

The victory kept India's campaign firmly on track and improved their net run rate, something Harmanpreet acknowledged was part of the team's plans going into the game.

"I think it's a good win. We were looking for this, and it's good that we thought we'd finish a bit early, but unfortunately, you know, but still, I think two, three overs were there when we finished the game. So I think that's a plus point for us," Harmanpreet said after the match.

While pleased with the result, the Indian skipper admitted there is still work to be done before the team's next assignment, particularly in the field.

Despite restricting Bangladesh to a manageable total, India dropped several catches during the innings, allowing Bangladesh batters to extend partnerships and score valuable runs. The missed opportunities have become a recurring issue during the tournament, something Harmanpreet wants her side to address quickly.

"I think a lot of things, but I think fielding is something on which we have been working very hard, but unfortunately, today again, we were not very great with the catches, and hopefully, you know, next game is very important, and I think that is the day to show our best cricket," she said.

India's fielding lapses stood out even more because several of the missed chances came from players regarded among the best fielders in the squad. Harmanpreet, however, backed her teammates and stressed the importance of continuing to work hard rather than dwelling on mistakes.

"Well, that's true. They are our best fielders, but sometimes situations like that arise. You can't really control them, but we only talked about it. Keep working hard, keep spending a lot of time on the field, keep catching those balls, so that when we go into the field, we are in a good position.

"But unfortunately, today again, we fumbled so many balls, but I think the next match is a very important match and I'm sure our best will come on that day," she added.

Harmanpreet also shed light on India's approach to team selection throughout the tournament. The skipper said management has remained flexible and picked combinations based on the opposition's strengths and conditions rather than sticking to a fixed playing XI.

"I think when we came here, one thing was very clear in our mind that every game is a different opposition and they have different positives and negatives, and accordingly, we have set our playing XI.

"So we were very open about our playing XI, and we just thought about what the best combination is on that part. We will be well with that," she explained.

India's attention now turns to a blockbuster encounter against Australia on Sunday, a match that could have a major impact on the semifinal race.

Harmanpreet sounded excited by the challenge and described Australia as one of India's favourite opponents. "I think one of our favourite opposition and hopefully our best come on that day," she said.

The India captain also pointed to her team's recent success against Australia in Navi Mumbai as an important moment that has helped build belief within the squad.

"Well, we know that these two tournaments and every game is a must-win, and sometimes when things don't go your way, you have to give your best. And I think that game is very important, and if we win that, I think we will definitely get a lot of confidence from that.

"And I think the last win against them in Navi Mumbai, that has given us a lot of confidence and broken a lot of barriers, and hopefully we'll play our best cricket on that day," Harmanpreet said.

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Seattle [US], June 27 (ANI): Egypt secured a historic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage for the first time after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Iran in their final Group G fixture.

Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian was named Player of the Match.

The Pharaohs finished the group stage unbeaten and will now face Australia in the Round of 32 as Group G runners-up. Iran, meanwhile, remains in contention for a place in the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams.

Egypt made a strong start to the match, taking the lead when Mahmoud Sabre converted from close range after Mohamed Salah’s deflected effort was parried by goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Iran responded with a golden opportunity to equalise in the ninth minute after Mehdi Taremi was brought down by Mohamed Abdelmonem, but Mostafa Shobeir saved the resulting penalty.

Shobeir produced another key save to deny Milad Mohammadi before Iran eventually levelled through Ramin Rezaeian, who reacted quickest to a loose ball from a tight angle.

The Egyptian goalkeeper remained in fine form, also dealing with a misjudged cross and later denying Shoja Khalilzadeh before the break.

After half-time, Egypt controlled possession for long spells as they managed the game, aware that Belgium’s result against New Zealand could impact their final group position.

Iran pushed hard for a winner late in the game, but a stoppage-time goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Shobeir then made another crucial save to deny Saeid Ezatolahi, ensuring Egypt held on for a vital point and progression. (ANI)

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Houston [US], June 27 (ANI): Cabo Verde midfielder Deroy Duarte described the emotion of his side’s historic FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification as mad and said he felt like he was living a dream after the Blue Sharks sealed their place in the knockout stage for the first time.

“Honestly, it’s mad. I feel like I’m in a dream," Duarte said, as quoted by Reuters after Cabo Verde held Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in their final Group H fixture to progress behind table-toppers Spain.

Reflecting on his journey, Duarte said reaching the World Cup and making history was beyond anything he had imagined. Duarte was also adjudged Player of the Match for his standout performance.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always dreamed of playing in a World Cup. To be man of the match and make history is something I could never have imagined," he added.

The midfielder also shifted focus to the road ahead, urging his teammates to first celebrate the achievement before preparing for the next challenge.

“First, let’s celebrate. We’re so happy. Let’s hope all Cape Verdeans are happy too. From tomorrow, we’ll focus on the next match," Duarte said, as quoted by Reuters.

Looking ahead to the Round of 32 clash, he acknowledged the challenge of facing defending champions Argentina but remained optimistic.

“It’s against Argentina, isn’t it? A tough match, but let’s believe. Anything is possible," he said.

The Blue Sharks are also the smallest nation to qualify for the knockout stages of the global tournament.

The islanders, who are the third smallest nation to play at the global finals, drew all three of their matches to progress in second place, according to the FIFA Website.

Cabo Verde became the first nation since Chile at the 1998 World Cup to advance from the group stage after drawing all of their matches. (ANI)

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India vs Ireland 2026 1st T20: Team India are the reigning world champions in T20I cricket having completed back-to-back title wins in the T20 World Cup 2026. Indians have not failed to win a bilateral T20I series since 2024 – having on 12 of them in a row. But for the first time since December 2023, they will not be able to win a T20I series and that too against minnows Ireland.

The Indian team succumbed to a humiliating 34-run loss in the first T20I of the two-match series against Ireland at the Civil Service Club grounds in Belfast – their first-ever loss to Ireland in any format of the game. As a result, the best that the visitors can home for is to level the series at 1-1 in the second game on Sunday. The last time that the T20 World Cup champions failed to win a T20I series was in December 2023 when they drew the series in South Africa 1-1.

Shreyas Iyer, who was leading India for the first time in T20I cricket after replacing Suryakumar Yadav, has set a humiliating record by losing his first game in charge. Iyer is now only the 4th Indian captain ever after Virat Kohli (vs England in Kanpur, 2017), Rishabh Pant (vs South Africa in Delhi, 2022) and Shubman Gill (vs Zimbabwe in Harare, 2024) to lose his first game in charge as a skipper.

For everyone who was there.

For everyone watching at home.

Enjoy these scenes! #BackingGreen | #IREvIND | #FailteSolar pic.twitter.com/MSnIdhqWAP

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 26, 2026

Ireland are the 11th team to have defeated India in T20Is while Indians are the 8th full-member nation that the Irish have managed to defeat in the format and only wins over Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are left.

“I think initially, the bowlers were bowling well. They got lateral movement, and they got a couple of wickets as well. So we got a tremendous start, but in between, we lost execution,” India captain Shreyas Iyer said at the post-match presentation.

The Indian captain felt that his side allowed the home team to score 10-15 runs more than the par score on the surface. “We made them hit straight down the ground, where we know that the dimensions are pretty small. I thought 140 would have been an amazing score considering the start that we got to chase.

“But nonetheless, it’s a great experience over here. We got to play in these conditions, got a fair idea about the wicket, and yeah, great start as a captain,” said Iyer.

Indians will now face Ireland in the second and final T20I match at the Civil Services Club ground in Belfast on Sunday.