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New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) Emphasising the lasting appeal of cricket’s legends, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar said the second season of the International Masters League (IML) will look to build on the strong foundation laid by its debut edition while delivering an enhanced experience for fans.

The upcoming season of the T20 league is scheduled to be held from October 24 to November 14, 2026, with matches set to be played across Mumbai, Vadodara, and Visakhapatnam. The tournament will once again bring together some of the biggest names in world cricket, offering fans a blend of nostalgia and competitive action.

Speaking about the return of the league, Gavaskar said, “Season 1 of the IML reaffirmed that the magic of cricket’s greatest icons continues to resonate deeply with fans. As we return for Season 2, the focus is on elevating that experience, with greater competition, more unforgettable moments, and the same enduring passion for the game. Fans can look forward to seeing their heroes back in action, and I am confident it will be another truly memorable edition of the tournament.”

The inaugural season proved to be a major success, with India Masters emerging as champions. It featured a star-studded line-up that included legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Shane Watson, Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, and Kumar Sangakkara, drawing significant attention from cricket fans across the globe.

In terms of viewership, the league made a strong impact, emerging as the second most-watched men’s T20 competition in India, with a reach of 246 million across television and OTT platforms.

Season 2 will once again feature six teams representing India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, England, and Sri Lanka. Matches will be staged at leading venues in the host cities, ensuring high-quality playing conditions and fan engagement.

Further details, including the full schedule, team rosters, and ticketing information, will be announced in the coming months as anticipation builds for the tournament’s return.

--IANS

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Noida, March 20 (IANS) Ridhima Dilawari rallied from a bogey-bogey start to fire her third straight round of 71 and sneak ahead of Jasmine Shekar in the sixth leg of the Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Jaypee Wishtown Golf Course in Noida on Friday. Playing at the Par-71 layout, Ridhima, starting the final round three shots behind Jasmine, was five shots behind after just two holes.

Ridhima then staged a superb recovery with two birdies and no bogeys for the rest of the 16 holes, while Jasmine carded a 4-over 75 that ended with a bogey. Jasmine and Ridhima were tied at even par when they came to the 18th

Ridhima parred, but Jasmine bogeyed, giving Ridhima her third win in the last five events. Ridhima won the second and the fourth legs and has now added the sixth leg as she continues to lead the Hero Order of Merit. For Jasmine, who won the first leg this season, this was her second straight second-place finish.

Of the six legs that have been held so far, Ridhima has won three, while Jasmine and Tvesa Malik won once each, and amateur Lavanya Gupta took the fifth leg.

While Ridhima had a smooth ride after a rough start, Jasmine had a roller coaster of a round. She began bogey-birdie and then bogeyed the fifth and double bogeyed the sixth. A birdie on the ninth meant she turned in 2-over 38. On the back nine, she bogeyed the 13th and needed to par the 18th to force a play-off. She dropped a shot and dropped to second place at 1-over 214.

Saanvi Somu had the day’s second-best card of 1-under 70 and rose to tied third place at 2-over 215 and was tied with Amandeep Drall (71).

Neha Tripathi (73) was sole fifth, while Tvesa Malik (69) brought home the day’s best score and was Tied-sixth alongside amateurs Guntas Kaur Sandhu (71) and Alysha Dutt (73), who shared the amateur prize.

Yet another amateur, Mahreen Bhatia (73) was ninth, as amateur Anuradha Chaudhuri (75) and Anvitha Narender (75) rounded off the Top-10.

A total of 53 players started the week, and 34 made the cut in the event that carried a purse of Rs. 17 lakh.

Ridhima leads the Order of Merit with Rs. 9,91,667, while Jasmine Shekar is second with earnings of Rs. 7,38,333. Amandeep Drall is third with Rs. 5,84,000.

--IANS

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Colombo, March 20 (IANS) Sri Lanka cricket board (SLC) has decided to conduct mandatory fitness tests for its players before No Objection Certificates (NOC) for their participation in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which will start from March 28.

The move comes as several Sri Lankan players, picked by different franchises, are currently recovering from injuries.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the tests are expected to be held early next week in Colombo, and only those who meet the required fitness standards will be allowed to take part in the IPL.

Among the prominent players awaiting clearance are bowler Matheesha Pathirana (Kolkata Knight Riders), experienced spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (Lucknow Super Giants), left arm fast bowler Eshan Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Nuwan Thushara (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).

In total, seven Sri Lankan players have been picked for the upcoming season. Others include Dushmantha Chameera and Pathum Nissanka (both Delhi Capitals), along with Kamindu Mendis (Sunrisers Hyderabad).

Multiple IPL franchise officials have said that they will receive an update on the Sri Lankan stars once their scheduled fitness tests are done.

"There are fitness tests scheduled by SLC on Monday and Tuesday, and we will know about their players only after that," officials of multiple IPL franchises said to Cricbuzz

Several of these players, including Pathirana, Hasaranga, Malinga and Thushara, had partially or fully missed the recently concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to injuries. Hasaranga, in particular, has been sidelined since February 8 after suffering a left hamstring strain during a match against Ireland. Pathirana, meanwhile, featured in three matches before being ruled out.

As a result of the injuries Sri Lanka, despite being the hosts of the T20 World Cup 2026 crashed out from the Super 8s stage. However the team performed well in the group stage where they registered three wins in four matches which also included defeating the 2021 champions Australia, which led to the Mitchell Marsh led team out from the group stage for the first time.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) Former India left-arm fast bowler Irfan Pathan has urged caution in managing teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, adding that it’s very important for the left-hander to not let either success or failure get to his head.

Sooryavanshi is yet to turn 15, but has already made big runs in his cricketing career so far, including being the fastest Indian batter to hit a century in the IPL (in just 35 balls), and was retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

He’s also coming on the back of being Player of the Tournament and Player of the Final in the 2026 Men’s U19 World Cup, won by India. “It is very important for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not to let success or failure get to his head. It’s quite a sensitive age because he is just about 15 years old. At this stage, he potentially has a 20-year professional career ahead of him.

“In today’s time, where longevity is not always a priority and careers can be short, you can still achieve a lot in 6 to 8 years. But Vaibhav could have a much longer journey. Naturally, it is important that someone consistently stays with him as a guide, a good mentor who can support him over time, the role Rahul Dravid played last year,” said Pathan on JioStar.

He also spoke about how Sooryavanshi needs to constantly improve his game to stay ahead of the opposition’s plans to counter him. “At the same time, he must keep improving his game constantly. It is possible that this season, teams may plan against him, like bowling consistently outside the off stump and keeping the ball away from his reach.

“He will need to counter that, even if it comes with the risk of getting out. Also, he might face the same challenges that Abhishek Sharma did, different types of bowling and constant variations in pace, so how he adapts and finds ways to score in those situations will be key.”

Ex-India opener Aakash Chopra said Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach must be tempered with consistency in IPL’s high-pressure environment. "‘If the first one is there to be hit, I will go for it’ is a very good philosophy. But if it happens three times that you go for the first ball and, God forbid, you don’t connect properly and get out, that is when problems start. The IPL is a different beast.

“They may not say it in as many words, but it reminds me of my playing days in England, where if you have one or two off days back-to-back, someone would come up and say, ‘Bro, time to earn your money,’ because you are being paid to score runs. That thought lingers on your mind, that you are getting paid to perform, and the IPL has a similar dynamic.

“He got some exposure last year, when Rahul Dravid was there as well, and you could see tears in his eyes after getting out in one of the games. This time, there are expectations, and he will carry that burden. Even though we are talking about him, saying that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will come and score runs, so in that regard, it is a huge season for him," he added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) Since 2018, the year Anukul Roy became a member of the Indian team that went on to win the Men’s U19 World Cup in New Zealand, he has mainly been a bench player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Roy, a handy batter who also bowls left-arm orthodox spin, has only 12 IPL appearances – four of which came in the 2023 and 2024 seasons for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

But after a phenomenal domestic season for Jharkhand, Roy believes 2026 is finally the year the wait ends for him to have a regular spot in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) line-up. "I am feeling excited to play. This year has been good, and the domestic season went well. So, I am thinking that I can get a chance this year.

“We are preparing very well for that here in Kolkata, and have already done some preparation in Mumbai. So, it has been very good. I have been waiting to play (regularly) for many years - so, I have a huge excitement feeling about this," Roy tells IANS in an exclusive conversation from Kolkata.

The case Roy has built is difficult to ignore for KKR’s think-tank. In the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Roy scored 303 runs and took 18 wickets -- striking at 160.31 with the bat and an economy rate of 7.41 with the ball. Roy was adjudged as Player of the Tournament in Jharkhand, claiming their maiden SMAT title.

Only Harshal Patel, who scored 374 runs and took 19 wickets in 2019-20, has previously scored 300-plus runs and taken 15-plus wickets in a single edition of the tournament. Roy also caught nine catches across eleven matches, making him only the fourth man in T20 history to achieve this unique treble in a single tournament.

He scored 25-plus runs and took multiple wickets in the same match on seven occasions -- only two other men have managed to do that double in a T20 tournament. At KKR, Roy has long been viewed primarily as a spin-bowling option, but with Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine around, the chances to play haven’t come consistently.

But with his batting returns for Jharkhand catching everyone’s notice, conversations with KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar during a pre-season camp in Mumbai were specifically focused on it. "When I came to Mumbai, I spoke to Abhishek sir - I mean bhaiya. Like, what can you do as you can bat at any number? Then bowling came, especially in power-play and outside of it.

“So, that type of preparation started from there. When I went to Mumbai, I even managed to play in the DY Patil tournament – like what to do in it, and what's more, I was there to learn. So all of the preparation started from there, and a lot of improvement is already visible. Now, we are ready for games, and we will get better after coming here."

For Jharkhand in SMAT, Roy credited being pushed to number five as the key reason behind his strong batting returns. One of the standout knocks off his willow was an unbeaten 95 off 58 balls against Karnataka on November 28 -- when Jharkhand were gasping at 105/6 in the 13th over chasing 158, and Roy took them home with two wickets in hand.

"This time, my position was changed in batting. Earlier, I used to play at number seven, but I was made to play at number five. So, I got to play a lot, and one can change the match from there. That match was like that -- I had a lot of balls to play, but there weren't many wickets in hand. But I had a chance to hit in the gap from time to time. So, I had a lot of balls, and that meant I could give myself time."

"So, it was a challenge in that match, as I didn't have wickets in my hand. In batting, I was trying to implement what I used to do well in earlier matches. Earlier, I used to do well in two matches, but now, I do well in 7-8 matches. So, I was more focused on that – like this year, I will have to do a lot for my team and myself -- only then I will get a chance, and someone will spot me. So, I was focused on all these things."

The technical foundations, he insists, were always there, but what changed for Roy was the consistency in application with the bat. "No, I kept it the same. My batting was like that from the beginning - I used to adjust myself in any position.

“Earlier, I used to bat higher, and for example, if the team lost 5-6 wickets at 50-60-75 runs, situations like that have happened to me many times. It would make me feel that I have to play now, build my innings slowly, and learn a lot about it in domestic cricket. So, I didn't change things much – just that I did my batting according to the situation the team was in."

While waiting for his time to play in KKR, sharing a nets session with Narine and Chakaravarthy is always a classroom in spin bowling for Roy, aiming to add layers to his bowling. "Yes, I learn from them every time. Like, all three of us bowl in nets together. So, we talk a lot – like what can we do? What is the situation at this time?

“Even from Sunil Narine – like where to bowl, bowling the same deliveries, and how to send down the carrom ball and apply backspin on the balls. I keep asking these questions on the net, and we talk about everything on bowling."

The years spent watching from the dugout and being under numerous KKR coaches have also accumulated into something useful for Roy. “There has been a lot of growth. To sit and learn and work under GG sir, Abhishek bhaiya, and Chandu sir, who was there in between, as McCullum. By working under different coaches, I got to learn a lot, like sometimes around batting, bowling, discipline, sharpness of the mind, where and what you have to use in a game. So, I got to learn a lot, and it has helped me a lot in domestic as well."

Moving straight from Ranji Trophy to SMAT left little time for adjustment, but Roy stated the fundamentals transfer was smooth. "It was very good. We had very little time to prepare, as before that, we played Ranji Trophy matches. So, the basics were set, and we didn't have to make many changes or change positions and all.

“So, it was a little easier for us to go for the white ball games. Whenever we go for the white ball from the red ball, it feels good as you don't have to change that much -- you just have to hold the position while batting. In T20s, you have to bring some variation in bowling. In day matches, you have to bowl at the same place.

“In T20s, you have to mix both the lengths and lines. So, we just practised a little bit on it. Our support staff worked very hard, and Ishan (Kishan) was with me. He was also very good and led the team so well in all the league matches that we went very far in the competition. Everyone performed very well in the team. So, it felt very good that this was the first time we got to manage the SMAT Trophy for Jharkhand," he elaborated.

A lot of players alongside Roy have gone on to play for the senior India team -- like Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh. All are now established names in IPL and international cricket. At 27, Roy is crystal clear about what a strong IPL 2026 could mean.

"Yes, it seems that the performance is good, whether it was one-day, T20, or red-ball games. So, there is a chance that my name could come up somewhere. If IPL goes well, there is a 100 percent chance that my name will come up somewhere (for the national team). So, this IPL is the most important, and I am focusing on that."

Being on the sidelines can be tough for any player, but Roy manages it by being happy whenever someone in the KKR camp makes the team win. "Whoever does well in this team, I would feel very happy. I would want us to be happy in his happiness so that someone will also be happy in my happiness.

“So, there is always a hunger for that – like if I get to play, someone will say something good. Or they will think there's a friend like me who is always waiting for a chance to play - when will he play? And will he do well? So, there is always a hunger for that, and I keep waiting for it. But yes, whenever I get a chance, I will do well for the team and make them win."

The goal, for now, is straightforward for Roy – get chances and help KKR qualify for the playoffs quickly after missing the bus last time. "Whatever chances I will get, even if I don't get to play, I want to be with the team forever. If I get to play, I want to win as many matches as possible. Firstly, we want to qualify for the playoffs.

“After that, we will see what happens. So, we are looking at the playoff qualifications first. We will take one match at a time, and it will be much better for us. If we quickly win 7-8 games out of the 14 matches, the sooner we will qualify, and we are focused on that."

When his chance to play arrives, Roy is leaving no room for doubt about what he intends to do with it, and who knows, IPL 2026 might well be the springboard for him to get higher honours.

"Yes, this time, I think I might get chances. I have done well, and I am confident that whenever I get a chance -- I don't know when I will get it. But whenever I get a chance, I will do something good for the team this time."

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) Former India allrounder Irfan Pathan has said that coping with pressure is the defining challenge for young cricketers entering the Indian Premier League (IPL), especially for those carrying hefty price tags.

IPL 2026 will see uncapped Indian players Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma be under spotlight after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) snapped them for Rs 14 crore each in last year’s auction. “The biggest thing is how you handle pressure. The IPL is a tournament where you can be a hero one day, and fade away the next.

“We’ve seen so many players who earn huge money at an auction, but then don’t perform the following season and don’t even get picked again. I would want to see how a player like Prashant Veer, who has been paid in upwards of ₹14 crore, performs under pressure when given an opportunity.

“Especially in the last four overs, whether he is batting or bowling, when a breakthrough is needed and he is being attacked from both ends, how does he respond in that moment?” said Pathan on JioStar.

He also said part of succeeding in IPL for youngsters earning heavy paydays will be in how they deal with failure and bounce back in future. “If I were part of the management, I would also observe what happens after a player fails under pressure in a few matches.

“How does he regroup, rebuild, and step back onto the field with confidence? Because if I’ve invested such a big amount in a player at the auction, I obviously trust his ability, but along with that, attitude matters a lot too.”

Ex-India opener Aakash Chopra highlighted the off-field distractions that accompany the IPL’s scale for which youngsters are never trained to deal with. “What is truly unique about the IPL is something you don’t experience when playing for your state, or even for India, because there you are surrounded by established superstars you can learn from, whereas here everything feels larger than life.

“For instance, at a franchise like Rajasthan Royals, he might already be the central figure in ad campaigns and shoots, and that can make him feel, ‘I am important.’ It is not temptation, it is simply something you are constantly exposed to, fans, autographs, photos, selfies, and being at the centre of everything.

“The challenge is that players are never really trained to deal with all this. They are trained to play cricket, how to face the ball and handle pressure on the field, but not how to manage these distractions. During the IPL’s eight to nine-week window, this becomes constant and can be overwhelming, so it needs to be handled very carefully,” he added.

--IANS

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London, March 20 (IANS) England head coach Thomas Tuchel has named a 35-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on Friday, with experienced defender Harry Maguire making a notable return to the national setup.

Maguire, who has earned 64 caps for England, returns to the squad after missing out on selections since Tuchel took charge on January 1, 2025. The Manchester United centre-back has impressed at club level this season, playing a key role in his side’s improved domestic form and push for qualification in the UEFA Champions League.

The squad also includes rising talent Kobbie Mainoo, as England build towards the upcoming World Cup. Midfield star Jude Bellingham has also been included despite a recent injury layoff, while Trent Alexander-Arnold misses out.

Explaining his decision to name a larger squad, Tuchel said, “We decided to divide it into basically two camps almost, so we bring players in that we haven’t seen who haven’t played so much to open up the picture, and the competition for plane tickets to the US.

“Then from Friday and Saturday, a group of players will come into camp – ten or eleven players who get a rest before and we will then go with a new group and mix of players into the match against Japan,” The head coach added.

England will host both matches at Wembley Stadium later this month, before facing New Zealand and Costa Rica in June friendlies. The team is scheduled to open its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas.

England last lifted the World Cup trophy on home soil back in 1966 by defeating West Germany 4-2 at Wembley. They have since reached the semi-finals twice in 1990 and 2018, while also playing five quarter-finals. England would look to end the 60 year drought in the upcoming tournament hosted by USA and Mexico.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Ramsdale, Steele, Trafford.

Defenders: Burn, Guehi, Hall, Konsa, Livramento, Maguire, O'Reilly, Quansah, Spence, Stones, Tomori.

Midfielders: Anderson, Bellingham, Garner, Henderson, Mainoo, Palmer, Rice, Rogers, Wharton.

Forwards: Bowen, Calvert-Lewin, Eze, Foden, Gordon, Kane, Madueke, Rashford, Saka, Solanke.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) The South Africa women's team will host India and Australia in a busy schedule that includes multi-format matches, featuring two rare Test matches. India’s tour will kick off with a three-match ODI series, part of the ICC Women's Championship, starting on March 9 in Potchefstroom.

The second ODI will take place in Bloemfontein, and then the teams will head to Newlands in Cape Town for the series finale. These ODIs are crucial for qualifying for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2029, making the competition even more significant.

The tour will also include a one-off Test match at St George’s Park in Gqeberha from December 20 to 23. This will be only the fourth red-ball meeting between the two teams.

India have won all three previous matches in 2002, 2014, and 2024. This match will coincide with the opening men’s Test between the England and South Africa national cricket teams in Johannesburg, marking an important moment for cricket in the country.

Next, the focus will shift to Australia’s historic visit; it will be their first full bilateral tour of South Africa since a planned trip in 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The series will start with three T20Is from March 18 in Kimberley, followed by matches in Benoni and KuGompo City (East London). After that, the teams will play a three-match ODI series starting on March 27 in Gqeberha, then moving to Paarl, and ending in Durban on April 3.

The last ODI will be recognised as a ‘Black Day’ fixture, highlighting the ongoing fight against gender-based violence. The multi-format series will conclude with a one-off Test at the JB Marks Oval in North West from April 8 to 11.

This will be only the second Women’s Test between South Africa and Australia, following their earlier match in Perth in February 2024, where Australia won by an innings and 284 runs.

Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki shared his excitement for the upcoming season, stating, “We are delighted to host two of the world's top teams in India and Australia for what promises to be a thrilling home summer for the Proteas Women. These tours will showcase the very best of international women's cricket and boost the encouraging increase in fan attendance, as we continue to welcome growing crowds across the country to watch world-class players compete at some of our iconic venues.”

Schedule vs India

1st ODI - December 9, 2026, Potchefstroom

2nd ODI - December 12, 2026, Bloemfontein

3rd ODI - December 15, 2026, Cape Town

One-off Test - December 20 to 23, 2026, Gqeberha

vs Australia

1st T20I - March 18, 2027, Kimberley

2nd T20I - March 21, 2027, Benoni

3rd T20I - March 23, 2027, KuGompo City

1st ODI - March 27, 2027, Gqeberha

2nd ODI - March 31, 2027, Paarl

3rd ODI - April 3, 2027, Durban

One-off Test - April 8 to 11, 2027, Potchefstroom

--IANS

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Auckland, March 20 (IANS) A superb bowling show followed by Tom Latham’s unbeaten half-century powered New Zealand to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20I played at Eden Park on Friday, helping the hosts take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bowl first and produced a disciplined effort to restrict South Africa to 136/9 in 20 overs. The hosts then chased down the total easily in just 16.2 overs.

South Africa were off to a poor start as they lost three crucial wickets in the powerplay, with Wiaan Mulder getting out on a duck while Tony de Zorzi and Connor Esterhuizen made starts but could not convert them into big scores.

After the top order failure, the middle order also could not steady the innings, with Rubin Hermann and Dian Forrester unable to make an impact.

Later, George Linde (23 off 19), Gerald Coetzee (16 off 8), and Nqobani Mokoena (26 off 20) added some useful runs, helping South Africa cross the 130-run mark, but the total remained below par.

New Zealand’s bowlers kept things tight throughout. Mitchell Santner and Ben Sears picked up two wickets each, while Ferguson stood out with an economical spell, conceding just nine runs in his four overs. Kyle Jamieson, James Neesham, and Cole McConchie also contributed to maintaining pressure.

In reply, New Zealand chased down the target comfortably. Devon Conway and Latham provided a steady start, with Conway scoring 39 off 26 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.

After Conway’s dismissal, Latham anchored the innings with an unbeaten 63 off 55 balls, ensuring there were no setbacks in the chase. Tim Robinson added 17 runs, while Nick Kelly finished the match.

For South Africa, Lutho Sipamla and Keshav Maharaj picked up one wicket each, but the bowlers failed to trouble the New Zealand batters.

Brief Scores: South Africa 136/9 in 20 overs (Nqobani Mokoena 26, George Linde 17; Mitchell Santner 2-21, Ben Sears 2-27) lost to New Zealand 137/2 in 16.2 overs (Tom Latham 63*, Devon Conway 39; Lutho Sipamla 1-26, Keshav Maharaj 1-30) by 8 wickets.

--IANS

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Yushan, March 20 (IANS) Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan once again made snooker history after crafting the sport's highest ever break, a stunning 153, in his quarterfinal with Ryan Day at the World Open.

The 50-year-old Englishman set the new record in the opening frame of his quarter-final with Ryan Day. Also known as 'The Rocket', Sullivan has achieved a perfect 147 break, a record 17 times previously.

On Friday, he was aided by a free ball and included 14 blacks with two pinks, before he deposited all of the colours to end on 153, that left the Englishman two points shy of the highest possible run of 155.

"Just want to say a big shout-out to all the people that have been messaging me, congratulating me on the 153," O'Sullivan said in a video posted on X. "It was a pretty cool moment, really happy to do it. Thank you to everyone out there that has supported me."

The only ever break to have exceeded 147 prior to this was a 148 made by Jamie Burnett at 2004 UK Championship qualifying. O'Sullivan's incredible run on Friday eclipses that and puts him in line for the 5,000-pound high break prize.

O'Sullivan will face China's Wu Yize in the semifinals after the Chinese stormed past Northern Ireland's Mark Allen with a 5-1 win.

Earlier this season the seven-time world champion became only the second player in snooker history to make two maximum 147 breaks in a single match, achieving the feat in his Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters semi-final with Chris Wakelin. He followed on from Jackson Page, who made two maximums in the penultimate round of 2025 World Championship qualifying.

O'Sullivan has recently embarked on a quest to rebuild his game in a bid to rediscover his top form before his career is over. Earlier, he admitted that his one remaining goal in snooker is to win a record-breaking eighth World Championship.

--IANS

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