ICC Chairman Jay Shah praises women's cricket after Australia beat En…

ICC Chairman Jay Shah celebrated the rapid rise of the women's game after Australia captured a record-extending seventh ICC Women's T20 World Cup crown, defeating hosts England by seven wickets in the final at Lord's on Sunday.

The Australians capped off an undefeated tournament run by chasing down a target of 151 with 17 deliveries left to play. The final was played before a historic audience of over 28,000 spectators at the iconic venue, setting a new record for the highest successful chase ever recorded in a Women's T20 World Cup final.

In the wake of the historic final, Shah took to X (formerly Twitter) to laud both competing teams. albergomalica.it

He wrote, "Congratulations to @CricketAus on winning their 7th @ICC Women's T20 World Cup title with another incredible campaign. Huge credit to @englandcricket too - fantastic runners-up but champions in spirit. This tournament reminded us why women's cricket is unmissable - power, passion, and pure class on display from start to finish. Thank you to both teams and everyone who made this World Cup so special. Women's cricket is in a golden era!"

Congratulations to @CricketAus on winning their 7th @ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title with another incredible campaign. Huge credit to @englandcricket too - fantastic runners-up but champions in spirit. This tournament reminded us why women’s cricket is unmissable - power,… pic.twitter.com/lcNYrmuKa1

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 5, 2026

The International Cricket Council also celebrated Australia's triumph on X, posting, "Australia reign supreme once again to seal the Women's #T20WorldCup title in emphatic fashion."

Mooney and Litchfield spearhead Australia's run chase

Australia’s chase was anchored by a superb performance from Beth Mooney, who scored 64 runs and forged a partnership with Phoebe Litchfield.

Though England's Lauren Bell struck early by dismissing opener Georgia Voll, Mooney and Litchfield quickly won back control of the game. The duo comfortably crossed the 100-run milestone in the 11th over.

Litchfield fell short of a personal milestone, dismissed for 48 by Charlie Dean. Meanwhile, Mooney scored her ninth half-century in Women's T20 World Cup history, tying Nat Sciver-Brunt's record for the most fifties in the tournament. Sophie Ecclestone eventually broke through to dismiss Mooney for 64, but veteran Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner ensured a comfortable win.

Earlier in the match, England put a total of 150/4 after being asked to bat. Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt remained unbeaten on 58 off 53 balls.

Australia's bowling strategy paid dividends, with Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Lucy Hamilton, and Kim Garth picking up a wicket apiece to keep the target within reach before the batters put on a masterclass to celebrate yet another world title.

(With ANI inputs)

Former India women’s cricket team skipper Mithali Raj, 43, exuded elegance in her recent Instagram post, delighting fans with her look in a shimmering white saree.

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A post shared by Mithali Raj (@mithaliraj)

Raj, who is part of the commentary panel at the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales, shared this picture with her 1.9 million Instagram fans and captioned the post: “Dressed with purpose.”

Fans were quick to laud her style, with one social media user commenting: “Absolute beauty,” while another said: “You look gorgeous. A third called her a “pretty legend.”

London [UK], July 6 (ANI): The Prince and Princess of Wales congratulated England after the Three Lions defeated co-hosts Mexico 3-2 to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals.

England booked their place in the last eight after holding off a spirited Mexico comeback despite playing much of the second half with 10 men following Jarell Quansah’s red card.

Reacting to the victory, the official account of the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a congratulatory message on X.

“Well done England! Bring on the quarter final!" the post read.

https://x.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/2073969047981437305?s=20

Kane played a key role in England’s thrilling 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico, converting a second-half penalty after Anthony Gordon was fouled inside the box. The goal was Kane’s sixth of the tournament and helped England secure a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Bellingham became the youngest player to make 10 FIFA World Cup appearances, surpassing the previous record held by Argentina’s Mario Kempes, who was 23 years and 334 days against Poland in 1978. Bellingham was also named the Player of the Match.

England have secured a place in the World Cup quarterfinals for the 11th time, with only Brazil (15) and Germany (14) having reached the last eight more often in the tournament’s history, according to The Athletic.

Captain Harry Kane has once again been central to England’s campaign. His six-goal haul marks only the third instance of an England player scoring six goals at a major international tournament, matching his achievement at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and following Gary Lineker’s six-goal campaign in 1986. Kane has also become the outright record-holder for the most World Cup penalty goals in regulation time, with six, two more than any other player, according to The Athletic.

Bukayo Saka also reached a notable milestone, becoming only the third England player since 1966 to register three assists in a single FIFA World Cup, joining David Beckham (2002) and Harry Kane (2022).

Kane continued his remarkable form against Mexico, registering a goal and an assist to take his tally to 81 goal involvements in 63 appearances for club and country across all competitions during the 2025-26 season (73 goals and eight assists).

According to OptaJoe’s X handle, Kane also became the first player on record since 1966 to both score a penalty and concede a penalty in the same FIFA World Cup match. (ANI)

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Pacer Gurnoor Brar made a strong case for a Test debut in Sri Lanka next month with a match haul of 10 wickets in India A's resounding win in the second and final unofficial Test here on Sunday. Courtesy Sai Sudharsan's 168, India A put up a daunting first innings total of 543, giving them a 177-run lead over Sri Lanka A.

The game moved fast on the fourth and concluding day with Brar running through the Sri Lanka A batting unit with a six-wicket haul in the second innings, following his four wickets in the first innings. The other contender for a spot in the Test team for the two-match series against Sri Lanka from August, Aquib Nabi, paled in Brar's comparison.

The Punjab pacer had impressed on his India debut in the ODI series against Afghanistan last month. Brar was part of the Test squad too but did not make his debut in the traditional format. With Sri Lanka A bundled out for 209 in the second innings, India A had only 33 to chase.

Sudharsan and Aman Mokhade did that in 6.2 overs as India A completed a comfortable 10-wicket win following a draw in the series opener. India had resumed the day at 541 for eight. Barring Ashen Bandara's 87, none of the home team's batters could make a significant contribution.

It was a successful tour for India A who had also won the preceding tri-series in Dambulla. With the first Test against Sri Lanka scheduled at the Galle International Stadium on August 15, Test regulars like Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel got ideal game time. The second Test will be played at the SSC in Colombo from August 23.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka A: 366 all out and 209 all out 48.3 overs (Ashen Bandara 87; Gurnoor Brar 6/68) lost to India A: 543/9 in 143.3 overs (Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94, Dhruv Jurel 53) and 36/0 in 6.2 overs by 10 wickets.

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