The highly anticipated T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India on February 15 now faces a potential washout as weather forecasts predict rain and thunderstorms in Colombo.
According to the hourly forecast for Sunday, Colombo will experience scattered thunderstorms with rain chances peaking between 55 percent and 60 percent during the afternoon and evening hours. The forecast shows temperatures reaching a high of 31 degrees Celsius and a low of 22 degrees, with thundery showers and light winds expected throughout the day.
The most critical period appears to be from 1:30 PM onwards, with rain probability ranging from 55 percent to 59 percent between 1:30 PM and 6:30 PM. This timing coincides directly with the scheduled match hours at Premadasa Stadium.
Pakistan confirmed their participation in the match after initially refusing to play against India in solidarity with Bangladesh. The Government of Pakistan released an official statement saying the Men in Green will honor the fixture, ending days of uncertainty around the clash.
However, the unpredictable Sri Lankan weather has now emerged as the latest challenge threatening the encounter. Pakistan has already experienced weather disruptions during their warm-up games in the tournament.
Under the current point system, both teams would share one point each if the match gets washed out.
Fans from both nations are anxiously monitoring the weather updates, hoping conditions improve in time for what promises to be one of the most watched matches of the tournament.
Islamabad United has removed Shemar Joseph from their squad, after picking the West Indies fast bowler in the PSL player auction held on Wednesday in Lahore.
The franchise posted their official squad on social media, and Joseph’s name was notably absent from the list.
Neither the player nor Islamabad United has publicly commented on the decision, but social media reports suggest the move came after strong backlash from fans over his selection.
The controversy stems from serious allegations made against Joseph in June last year. At least 11 women accused him of rape, sexual assault, harassment and unwanted advances, including claims from a teenage relative of Joseph.
The allegations surfaced during the West Indies’ first Test against Australia in 2025. According to reports, one victim, an 18-year-old woman, accused Joseph of assaulting her on March 3, 2023, at a residence in New Amsterdam, Berbice. She claimed he was taking her out to socialise and instead took her to a house where he allegedly raped her.
Following the initial report, more women came forward with evidence including screenshots, voice notes, medical filings and text messages. One victim’s family revealed that Joseph offered money to settle the matter, but they refused.
An investigation followed, and prosecutors recommended charges, but the matter did not proceed further.
Reports also indicated that Joseph was arrested on a sexual assault charge involving a teenage relative of his under the age of consent. However, the victim withdrew her statement, the case was closed, and no charges were filed.
When contacted about the allegations last year, Cricket West Indies said, “Cricket West Indies is unaware of the circumstances and, therefore, is not in a position to comment at this time.”
None of the allegations has resulted in formal charges against the fast bowler.
Kamran Akmal has voiced his frustration after his brother Umar Akmal’s name did not appear in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) player auction despite registering for the event.
The former wicketkeeper batsman took to X and tagged the Pakistan Cricket Board, PSL, and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in his post. “Unfair system. Disappointed! Why was Umar Akmal’s name not in auction?” he wrote.
Former cricketer Basit Ali also criticised the decision during a television show, questioning the logic behind this.
“Umar Akmal’s name is not there, and honestly, that shocks me. I don’t know if we are wrong, or maybe we never really played cricket, because when you look at Pakistan’s middle order and the talent Allah has given to so many players, I just don’t see how Umar Akmal is being ignored,” Basit said.
The omission sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some fans supported Kamran’s stance, saying Umar deserved a spot in the auction and had been working hard, others questioned his recent match activity.
“How many domestic games he played in last 1 year?” one user asked, while another commented, “Retired players are not allowed.”
Umar Akmal has been regularly posting practice videos on social media but has not appeared in any domestic tournament recently.
The auction, held on Wednesday in Lahore, was the first of its kind for the PSL.
The league will feature eight teams for the first time, with new franchises Hyderabad Houston Kingsman and Sialkot Stallionz joining the competition.
Multan Sultans, sold for Rs 2.45 billion after previous owner Ali Tareen left the team, have been renamed Rawalpindi.
The tournament will run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.
The Vice President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, has called out Pakistani channel ARY News and former cricketer Shoaib Malik for circulating a manipulated video that falsely attributed twisted statements to him.
During a show on ARY News, Malik aired an edited video featuring Shukla’s comments about the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 clash between Pakistan and India. The channel presented the clip as Shukla’s reaction to Pakistan’s decision to reverse its boycott of the match against India in Colombo.
Shukla took to X to clarify that the video had been doctored using Artificial Intelligence. “The video circulating with altered, AI-generated audio in my name is fake. Shoaib Malik, ARY News Official and Salman ARY, please stop circulating this misleading content,” he wrote.
The video circulating with altered, AI-generated audio in my name is fake. @realshoaibmalik, @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL and @Salman_ARY, please stop circulating this misleading content.
The manipulated video twisted Shukla’s actual remarks to create a different narrative around the Pakistan-ICC standoff. In the fake version aired by ARY News, Shukla appears to say, “I am delighted to see the outcome of the deliberations initiated by the ICC representative on the repeated request by the BCCI to convince Pakistan to play against India. It is a good and amicable solution which has been found to give priority to cricket. This is what has been done.”
However, Shukla’s original statement, made to reporters on Tuesday, carried a different tone and context. He had praised the ICC for finding a solution that ensured the India-Pakistan match would proceed as scheduled.
“I am delighted to see the outcome of the deliberations initiated by the ICC representative, supervised by the ICC chairman, and then the representatives who had gone to Lahore to talk to the Pakistan Cricket Board as well as the Bangladesh Cricket Board. It’s a good solution, an amicable solution which has been found to give priority to the importance of cricket to the game,” he told reporters.
The controversy stems from recent tensions surrounding T20 World Cup fixtures. Pakistan initially announced a boycott of their match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh after the BCCI dropped Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.
Bangladesh subsequently requested the ICC move matches scheduled in India to neutral venues, but ICC rejected the appeal and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament.
Pakistan stood by Bangladesh and refused to play against India. However, following an intervention by the President of Sri Lanka and appeals from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Pakistan reversed its decision and agreed to honour the fixture as per the original schedule.
Ahmed Shehzad has criticised Quetta Gladiators for their treatment of senior players following the Pakistan Super League (PSL) auction, contrasting their approach with teams like Lahore Qalandars who showed greater loyalty to their core group.
Speaking on a television show with host Tabish Hashmi and fellow cricketer Mohammad Amir, Shehzad expressed disappointment over how Quetta handled their relationship with established performers.
“In Quetta, loyalty is something else. If we talk about loyalty, it doesn’t even come close. I have performed for three or four seasons straight, but no phone call, nothing,” Shehzad said. “On the other hand, Aamir performed well in the last two years. In fact, some big things happened with Aamir. No, he wasn’t really a performer? One person could have at least called in the loyalty thing, like, ‘Hey, you haven’t been with us for two years.’ But no.”
Shehzad also pointed to the franchise’s treatment of Saud Shakeel, who captained the team last season. “They didn’t even want to pay him 50 lac. So when it comes to loyalty, it doesn’t even come close to the Quetta Gladiators,” he added.
Amir, who Rawalpindi picked for 5.7 crore after Quetta released him, took a lighter approach to the situation. When asked if he would miss his former team, he laughed and said, “Why would I miss Quetta? Life’s all about moving forward.”
The left-arm pacer welcomed the move to Rawalpindi, noting his connection to the city. “I’m happy playing for Pindi because my cricket started from the cricket club there,” he said.
However, both players praised Lahore Qalandars for their approach during the auction. Despite new rules requiring teams to select one player from each category, Lahore retained Shaheen Afridi while releasing Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf. They then bought both players back in the auction, nearly exhausting their 45 crore purse in the process.
“Lahore Qalandars were packed with loyalty. They are number one [in loyalty],” Amir said.
Shehzad also acknowledged Karachi Kings, noting that team owner Salman Iqbal bid for Amir during the auction despite their previous association having ended.
“Even if you look at Karachi Kings, no matter the terms they finished on, today Salman Bhai was bidding [for Mohammad Amir]. Lahore Qalandars said, ‘who cares if the team sinks?’ But they picked their players,” he said.
The conversation also touched on the importance of senior players in team dynamics. When discussing whether captains should seek advice from experienced cricketers, Shehzad was emphatic.
“Any captain who doesn’t take advice from this must be crazy. Senior players aren’t just sidelined. They’re really important for the team, and that goes for the captain too. You need help sometimes. So when there are senior players, you ask them for help on the ground,” he said.
The auction, held on Wednesday in Lahore, marked a significant moment for the league. PSL 11 will feature eight teams for the first time, with new franchises Hyderabad Houston Kingsman and Sialkot Stallionz joining the competition. Multan Sultans, sold for Rs 2.45 billion after previous owner Ali Tareen left the team, have been renamed Rawalpindi.
The tournament will run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.
Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid turned a routine post-race interview into a deeply personal moment after winning bronze in the men’s biathlon at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Tuesday.
Laegreid finished third in the 20-kilometre individual event, but the result quickly took a back seat when he spoke to media and admitted he had been unfaithful to his girlfriend.
“Six months ago I met the love of my life. The world’s most beautiful, sweetest person. And three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her,” Laegreid said, struggling to hold back tears.
”I hope there’s a happy ending.”
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid on his decision to confess on live TV to having cheated on his girlfriend just moments after winning bronze at the Winter Olympics. #Olympics#MilanoCortina2026pic.twitter.com/t8xorVSKZa
He said that he had informed his partner about the incident a week earlier adding that his personal life had overshadowed sport in recent days.
“I’m sure many people now see me in a different light, but I only have eyes for her,” he said. “I’m not quite sure what I’m trying to say by saying this now, but sport has taken a back seat in recent days. I wish I could share this with her.”
Despite the achievement, Laegreid appeared distraught after the race, crying and embracing teammates instead of celebrating. At a later news conference, he explained why he chose to make his confession on live television.
“It was the choice I made. We make different choices during our life and that’s how we make life,” he told reporters. “So today I made a choice to tell the world what I did, so maybe, maybe there is a chance she will see what she really means to me. Maybe not.”
He also expressed concern that his remarks may have shifted attention away from Botn’s Olympic triumph.
“Now I hope I didn’t ruin Johan’s [His teammate who won gold] day,” Laegreid said. “Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview. I’m not really here, mentally.”
The interview quickly went viral, sparking a wave of reactions on social media.
Many users criticised Laegreid’s actions, questioning his judgment and timing. One user wrote, “So he cheated on his girlfriend moments after winning his medal…you’d have thought he’d be knackered after skiing all that way… the lads got some stamina.”
Others commented, “Girl, run.” “I hope she runs far, far away from you,” one wrote. Some pointed towards the pattern, writing, “He cheated three months into a relationship. Mate, stay out of her life you’re only going to do this again if you get back with her,” while a user wrote, “How are you an Olympic medalist and still a loser .”
The race itself belonged to Laegreid’s teammate Johan-Olav Botn, who shot clean in his Olympic debut to claim gold. France’s Eric Perrot, the overall World Cup leader, took silver after missing one target. Laegreid also missed once and finished 48.3 seconds behind Botn to secure bronze.
The medal marked Laegreid’s first individual Olympic podium finish. He previously won gold as part of Norway’s relay team at the Beijing Olympics.
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has defended Pakistan’s boycott of their T20 World Cup match against India, calling it a calculated move that forced the ICC to back down rather than an impulsive decision.
Speaking to India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai, Sethi revealed that Pakistan’s 15-day boycott notice was deliberately designed to create negotiating space with the ICC and Bangladesh.
“Pakistan looked at all the angles. They knew that there could be no sanctions. They consulted the top lawyers at home and abroad,” Sethi said. “And there are precedents that made it clear to them that they were on a very strong wicket. And at best, they would lose a point, no more than that.”
“Pakistan knew that the broadcasters had the ICC, as it were, on a cold slab,” he said. “As far as the question on resources, there was a time when Pakistan used to rely on the ICC and many other boards too, but not anymore. Now the PSL has grown in a big way, and we earn more money from the PSL than from the ICC,” Sethi responded.
The former PCB chief claimed the ICC quickly realised Pakistan’s legal position was solid and initiated backdoor negotiations.
“The ICC has decided to back off a little bit, give Bangladesh some space,” he said. “That’s how Imran Khawaja, the deputy chief, got into action. That’s how the Bangladeshis got into action. That’s how they came to Pakistan to negotiate so that Pakistan could play this match.”
Sethi explained that Pakistan’s strategic notice period allowed them room to maneuver.
“One of the reasons that Pakistan gave a 15-day notice was that they wanted space with which to talk to the ICC and Bangladesh. And I think they had reason to believe that that would yield some results,” he said.
Sardesai challenged this interpretation sharply, arguing that Pakistan’s move was a terrible example of mixing cricket with politics. “It’s almost as if Pakistan had a problem with the fact that India, like it or not, is the world capital of cricket, the superpower of cricket,” he said. “The world wants to come to India and play here. They don’t want to play the PSL as much as they want to play the IPL. And maybe Pakistan simply wants to try and use these fora to express its anger against India dictating terms to the world. And that becomes an example of churlishness and mixing cricket and politics, isn’t it?”
Sethi pushed back hard against this characterisation. He acknowledged India’s financial clout but insisted the ICC should operate independently from the BCCI.
“The world definitely wants to come to India to play the IPL and all other fixtures. There’s no doubt about the fact that India is a major contributor to ICC revenues. No doubt. Nobody’s questioning that,” he said. “But what we are saying is this: the ICC is supposed to be an independent body. It’s not the BCCI. And so therefore, you need to have a system of equity.”
The former PCB chief pointed to his earlier opposition to the “Big Three” revenue formula, which eventually got scrapped.
“I have been working on this question of equity since the big three discussions. We were the only ones who didn’t want to sign on the dotted line. In the end, we were proven right that the big three formulas were all unjust. And eventually they had to scrap those and come to a new agreement,” he said. “And by the way, I might tell you, my sense is that there will be new formulas going forward, better, more equitable formulas.”
Sethi also highlighted what he sees as double standards in how cricket operates.
“Everybody wants to play in the PSL. Those who don’t get into the IPL are all too ready to play in the PSL. And so we realise that. But here’s the interesting point: India has never allowed Indian players to play in any league outside India. Isn’t that right?” he asked. “Pakistani players play in all the leagues outside Pakistan. We are welcoming. We want India to come and play in Pakistan in both ICC fixtures and bilateral fixtures. But India even refuses to play us in bilateral fixtures outside Pakistan.”
Sardesai countered by bringing up the security situation and terrorism concerns. “The reason is so long as the Pakistani state is seen as a sponsor of terror against India, what happened in Pahalgam, for example, last year, terror and cricket don’t go together,” he said. “You can’t have a bilateral series if Pakistan is going to be seen as a sponsor of terror or expect India to visit Pakistan and play against Pakistan. You need to create a conducive atmosphere, sir.”
Sethi fired back with counter-allegations and refused to accept the one-sided narrative.
“It takes two hands to clap. Do you know what the narrative is? The narrative is that your national security advisor, Mr. Doval, is on record for saying that we’re going to sort out Pakistan by sponsoring insurgency in Balochistan. That’s on record. You know it as well as I do,” he said.
“So now every time there’s a bomb blast that goes off and the insurgents do something in Balochistan, every day Pakistani newspapers are pointing the finger at India, much like India used to point the finger at Pakistan during those years when the insurgency was raging in Kashmir. So it’s basically tit for tat. You can’t accuse Pakistan of terrorism without evidence. On the other hand, when Pakistan accuses India of terrorism, you turn around and say, oh, that’s not right. So let’s not go there, please,” Sethi said.
Sardesai then pressed Sethi on the real motivations behind the boycott, questioning whether it was genuinely about Bangladesh being wronged or about political opportunism.
“Do you really believe that this was about Pakistan feeling anguished about Bangladesh being wronged? Or was it Pakistan seeing an opportunity to forge an axis with Dhaka in a way to somehow politically encircle India?” he asked. “This was therefore a political decision and you know that better than anyone else. This was not about cricket, it was about politics, Mr. Sethi. Would you agree or not?”
Sethi didn’t deny the political calculations and turned the tables on India instead. “That’s what was happening for 15 years in Bangladesh when Haseena [Sheikh Haseena] and Narendra Modi were in bed together. So now what’s happened is the tables have been turned. You have a new government that is pro-Pakistan. For 15 years you had a government that was pro-India. So Bangladesh was sitting with India all the time. Now Bangladesh is going to sit with Pakistan. That’s politics for you,” he said.
Sardesai appreciated Sethi’s candor while expressing concern about the implications. “I think you’re being very honest. I’m glad that you’re being honest about that. That’s politics. But whether a cricket field should become an arena for politics is the big question that all of us cricket lovers certainly will continue to ask,” he said before thanking Sethi for providing a Pakistani perspective on the issue.
Pakistan reversed its boycott decision this week, confirming the team will face India on February 15 as originally scheduled. The government’s statement came after Pakistan had initially announced the boycott in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Mystery spinner Usman Tariq is once again under the microscope after Pakistan’s win over the USA in the T20 World Cup 2026.
As per the details, internet and cricketing experts, especially those from India, have a lot to say about Tariq’s unconventional bowling action after he starred with three wickets for 27 runs.
Amid mixed reactions, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has defended the 28-year-old, saying on-field judging of elbow flex is impractical and the issue needs clearer solutions.
“Okay, let me make it as clear as possible. Firstly, the legalities of his action can only be tested at an ICC bowling action testing Centre. Secondly, there is a 15° rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow and straighten it and to judge if a bowler is bowling within that 15° mark by the onfield Umpire is impossible. The only solution to that is having a real time in competition testing tool [sic],” Ashwin wrote on X.
Okay, let me make it as clear as possible. Firstly, the legalities of his action can only be tested at an ICC bowling action testing Centre.
Secondly, there is a 15° rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow and straighten it and to judge if a bowler is bowling within… pic.twitter.com/RbTkY6xJ3h
He added that it was a grey area and to accuse someone for utilising it was wrong.
“Finally, if the pause at the crease is legal or not, and that’s where I believe that it is entirely legal because that is his regular action,” he concluded.
Tariq’s bowling action is distinctive as he follows a normal run-up with a pause at release, almost coming to a complete stop before delivering side-arm, slinging off-breaks.
He has been reported twice before, first during the 2024 PSL and again in the next edition, however, was cleared both times.
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma faces uncertainty ahead of the T20 World Cup match against Namibia after doctors admitted him to hospital with a stomach infection.
According to Indian media reports, Sharma had been unwell even before the recent match against the United States. Despite the illness, he took the field, but his condition worsened after the game. Doctors noted a high fever and immediately put him on intravenous drips to stabilize him.
Sharma skipped India’s practice session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi and later checked into a private hospital in the city. Medical staff are running multiple tests to identify the exact nature of the infection and decide the next course of treatment.
Sharma got out on the very first ball of the innings and did not return to the field during India’s defensive effort. Sanju Samson replaced him in the field, while Sharma also missed the post-match handshake ceremony.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the situation while speaking to reporters. “Abhishek has some stomach-related issues. We hope he will recover within two days,” he said. However, a BCCI official later told local media that Sharma’s availability for the Namibia game remains doubtful at this stage.
India received some positive updates on the fitness front. Washington Sundar has rejoined the squad, strengthening the team’s all-round options. Jasprit Bumrah has also resumed bowling after a 10-day break and feels sharper with each session.
According to media reports, Bumrah recently dealt with a brief fever but has now recovered fully.
Pakistani journalist Aftab Iqbal faced a wave of criticism on social media after commenting on Pakistan’s decision to play against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Pakistan had initially refused to play following government instructions and tensions over the ICC’s handling of Bangladesh-related issues. The match, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, became a hot topic after the PCB accused the ICC of bias.
In a video posted on his social media accounts, Aftab Iqbal was asked about the U-turn on Pakistan’s cricket decision.
“Frankly, it is an embarrassment. I would like to advise my general viewers that you should never issue a threat that you cannot act upon. When you threaten someone, you must be mentally prepared to follow through,” he said.
He added, “It is exactly like giving someone a loan; you should already be mentally prepared for the possibility that the money may never come back.”
Aftab Iqbal explained the wider impact of Pakistan’s decision.
“The damage of this decision is that Pakistan is already known for making empty threats. Tomorrow, if someone threatens India again, what credibility will that threat have? We once said, ‘If you stop our water, we will stop your breathing.’ Neither was the water stopped, nor was anyone’s breathing stopped. Exactly the same thing has happened here.”
He also warned about future credibility issues.
“In the future, this pattern will continue. You will keep saying, ‘We have nuclear power, we have nuclear power,’ but people will stop taking you seriously. So now the question is: what should be done? The only answer is this: you must win the match against India at all costs. Your team is a good team. India’s team is not some unbeatable force. Comparatively, you are better than them.”
He concluded by addressing the team’s morale.
“Right now, you are demoralised. Your morale is down. And the biggest role in destroying your morale is played by your own government and rulers, who lower your morale day and night,” he said.
Social media users were quick to react to his statements, with some suggesting he sounded like an Indian journalist.
One wrote, “It was a tactic to pressurise ICC and BCCI. All Pakistan knew (except Aftab Iqbal) that the match will be played eventually.” Another asked, “Tu phly ya bta k Pakistani ho ya Indian?” A third commented, “Bewakuf ka dosra nam Aftab Iqbal hai. Bhai ICC khud ap k pass chal k aya hai.”
Other users added, “Allah pak e hadiyat de apko,” “Waise bhi aapki credibility kya hai?” and “Sir aap se aisi language ki umeed nahi thi.”
The controversy escalated after Bangladesh’s fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL at the direction of the BCCI, leading Bangladesh to request the ICC move matches outside India. The ICC rejected the request and later replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.
Pakistan stood in support of Bangladesh and initially refused to play India. However, after a request from the President of Sri Lanka and appeals from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Pakistan agreed to play the fixture as per the schedule.
