Category: Sports

Sri Lanka Cricket has formally asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its decision to boycott the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, warning that the move could cause serious financial and tourism losses.

According to reports, Sri Lanka Cricket sent an official letter to the PCB requesting a review of Pakistan’s stance on skipping the high-profile match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The board said that the cancellation of the game between the two traditional rivals would have far-reaching consequences.

In its letter, Sri Lanka Cricket stated that it had completed all preparations for the match, including ticket sales and hosting arrangements. The board highlighted that the Pakistan-India clash is one of the most commercially valuable fixtures of the tournament.

Sri Lanka Cricket warned that Pakistan’s non-participation would lead to “significant financial losses” and a sharp decline in expected tourism revenue. Sri Lankan media reported that the boycott announcement has already affected the tourism sector, with many fans cancelling hotel bookings linked to the match.

The letter also reminded the PCB of Sri Lanka Cricket’s support for Pakistan during difficult times. “We request you to consider the extraordinary circumstances, the long-standing relationship between our two boards, and the broader interests of the game,” Sri Lanka Cricket said.

Sri Lankan media further reported that the board has assured Pakistan of the highest level of security for all matches. Reports added that other cricket boards have also urged Pakistan to avoid a boycott and revisit its decision.

This development follows a decision by the Government of Pakistan to stop the men’s team from taking the field against India. Earlier this week, Indian media reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was exploring behind-the-scenes efforts to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its position.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan scheduled to play all its matches in Colombo.

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has refused to criticise Pakistan’s decision to not play against India, saying such matters fall under government and cricket board policy.

Kapil shared his views during a recent talk show on Indian television when asked about the ongoing standoff between the two teams.

The host pointed to the growing divide between the countries in cricket and asked, “They say they won’t play on our ground, and we won’t play on theirs. How do you see this?”

Kapil made it clear that he did not see it as his responsibility to comment. “Honestly, it’s not my job. This is the government’s responsibility and the cricket board’s responsibility. What do I have to do with it?” he questioned. 

When asked whether such barriers should exist in cricket, Kapil again chose to avoid taking sides. “Look, what I feel or don’t feel doesn’t really matter. What matters is the policy of the country,” he said.

The former World Cup winning captain stressed that public statements from former players often complicate matters. “Whatever the country’s policy is, people like us should stand by it. When people like us start giving statements, it ends up confusing the public,” Kapil said.

He added that he preferred not to influence public opinion. “I’m not here to confuse anyone. Let’s stand by our government, let’s stand by our cricket board. Whether they are right or wrong, time will tell,” he said.

The Government of Pakistan recently announced it that the greenshirts will participate in the T20 World Cup 2026 but will not play against India. 

The decision came in response to what Pakistan described as the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) unfair handling of Bangladesh’s security concerns ahead of the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Pakistan as strong contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup, saying that the team has enough quality and balance to challenge any side despite a few clear weaknesses.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said he would focus purely on cricket while assessing Pakistan’s chances. “I know some might not agree, but I will focus on cricket. Pakistan really have a strong chance in this World Cup,” he said.

Ashwin highlighted Pakistan’s opening combination as one of their biggest strengths. “Their strength is their opening pair. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are opening, and Saim has been bowling well in the powerplay,” he said.

He also praised Pakistan’s new-ball attack, pointing to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s impact. “Shaheen Shah Afridi’s economy rate in the powerplay has been excellent at 6.5,” Ashwin noted.

“Then they have Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz. Nawaz brings control, while Abrar adds the novelty factor,” he said.

Ashwin identified Babar Azam’s position in the middle order as a possible concern. “One of their weaknesses is Babar Azam coming in the middle order,” he said.

However, he felt Pakistan’s bowling depth compensates for that. “At the death overs, they have Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Usman Tariq is also a novelty factor, with an impressive economy rate of 5.63,” Ashwin added.

He also highlighted the potential of Pakistan’s new star batter. “Khawaja Nafay is striking at 174, and there is a definite upside there,” he pointed out. 

Summing up Pakistan’s overall balance, Ashwin said that the side still has a key advantage. “All in all, Pakistan have strengths and they have weaknesses, but they also have Salman Ali Agha,” he said.

Pakistan have named its 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, with Salman Ali Agha leading the side. The squad includes Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan and Usman Tariq.

The T20 World Cup begins on February 7, with Pakistan set to face the Netherlands in the opening match.

However, Pakistan will not play against India on February 15. Pakistan has announced a boycott of the match following the ICC’s bias over Bangladesh’s security concerns during the tournament.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) over what he called the double standards in its handling of Pakistan and Bangladesh’s concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup in India.

Speaking about the controversy, he questioned how the ICC would have reacted if India had taken the same stance as Bangladesh.

“If Bangladesh can be pushed or threatened, I ask a simple question… if India had asked for a venue change, what would the ICC have done? Would they have pushed India out of the event as well?”

He stressed that the ICC must treat all member nations equally and not apply different rules based on influence or power. “The ICC has to deal with Bangladesh and Pakistan the same way it deals with India. Equality matters in international cricket.”

Hussain praised Bangladesh for standing firm on its position, saying the team showed unity and courage.

“Bangladesh stood their ground. They stood up for their players, and that deserves respect,” he said, and that Pakistan also did the right thing by supporting Bangladesh.

“At some point, someone has to stand up and say enough politics, let us play some cricket,” Hussain remarked.

The former England captain went on to criticise the growing political influence in the sport. He said India removed Mustafizur Rahman from the situation due to political pressure, calling it another example of politics entering cricket.

“Cricket is now full of politics. Sometimes you do not shake hands, sometimes you do not take trophies. This is not what the game is about,” Hussain said.

He warned that pressuring teams like Pakistan and Bangladesh could harm the future of the sport. “If you keep pushing Pakistan and Bangladesh, cricket will suffer. I am amazed at how Pakistan continues to perform when everything seems to be working against them.”

The comments come as Pakistan announces to boycott the clash against India at the T20 World Cup on Feb 15.

Former England cricketer Mark Butcher has said that Pakistan “pulled a blinder” by refusing to play India at the T20 World Cup.

Speaking on the “Stick to Cricket” podcast featuring David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell and Alastair Cook, Butcher criticised the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) handling of Bangladesh’s security concerns and Pakistan’s response. 

“Pakistan have basically pulled a blinder. They have said they still want to be involved in the tournament, but they are not going to play India. That is the only lever Pakistan have to pull in this situation.For India, that’s a disaster.”

He added that the ICC did not give Bangladesh the same options it did to India when they refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, and highlighted the financial angle of the Pakistan-India fixture.

“It is the most lucrative fixture in the world of cricket. That is why Pakistan and India are always placed in the same group. It is not a coincidence. Everything is arranged from the top,” he said.

Butcher criticised the inconsistency in ICC decisions. “Other teams have to qualify, they get put in groups, it comes out of a hat. But these two teams, it is all about money,” he added.

Michael Vaughan also weighed in, saying, “Is it one rule for one and another for another? India previously refused to play in Pakistan and got a neutral venue. Bangladesh was denied the same treatment. That is why Pakistan are taking this stance.”

The podcast comes as reactions flood the internet after the Pakistani government confirmed that the national team would skip the group stage match against India scheduled for February 15, following consultations between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif. 

The move was in reaction to ICC’s “double standards” towards Bangladesh over security concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup in India.

Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has returned to the number one position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s T20I all-rounder rankings following an impressive performance against Australia.

According to the latest rankings, the 23 year old overtook Zimbabwe’s experienced all rounder Sikandar Raza to regain the top spot. Ayub scored 119 runs and picked up three wickets during the series against Australia, which played a key role in his rise.

Several other Pakistan players also made notable gains in the updated rankings. Spinner Abrar Ahmed moved up two places to second in the T20I bowlers list and now sits just 28 rating points behind the top ranked player.

Mohammad Nawaz climbed eight places to seventh among bowlers after taking five wickets in the series. He also improved his position in the all rounders rankings, moving up one spot to fourth.

Shaheen Shah Afridi registered a five place jump to reach 19th position in the bowlers rankings.

In the batting rankings, both Saim Ayub and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha made strong progress. Ayub moved up eight places to 27th, while Salman Ali Agha climbed 12 spots to 29th.

However, Sahibzada Farhan failed to deliver strong performances against Australia and dropped two places to seventh in the batting rankings.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) has announced the successful sale of its international media rights for the upcoming season, calling the development a major step in the league’s global expansion.

For the 11th edition of the tournament, Walee Technologies secured the one year long global media rights for all regions excluding India after submitting the highest bid. The company’s offer exceeded the reserve price set by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), leading to the formal award of the rights.

Compared to the previous rights cycle across the same regions, the value of the deal increased by 149 percent. Officials described the sharp rise as a clear sign of the PSL’s growing brand strength and increasing international reach.

HBL PSL 11 will begin on March 26 and conclude on May 3, 2026. The upcoming season with two new teams will also expand the league’s city footprint with Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium set to host matches for the first time, marking the city’s return to top level cricket action.

The Government of Pakistan has allowed the national cricket team to take part in the upcoming T20 World Cup but has decided not to play the scheduled February 15 match against India, a move that has placed Pakistan in a dicey position early in the tournament.

Under ICC Playing Conditions Clause 16.10.7, a team that does not take the field forfeits the match. As a result, Pakistan will lose the two points from the India fixture. The full 20 overs of Pakistan’s innings will still count for net run rate calculations, which will significantly damage their net run rate. 

India, however, will receive the match points and its net run rate will not be affected by the forfeited game.

The qualification format further complicates Pakistan’s situation. The 20 teams in the tournament are divided into four groups of five, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super Eight stage. Losing two points without playing means Pakistan will have no margin for error in the remaining group matches.

Pakistan is placed in Group A along with India, the Netherlands, the United States and Namibia, with all five teams scheduled to play their group matches in Colombo.

Pakistan will open its campaign against the Netherlands in Colombo starting at 10:30 am, followed by matches against the United States on February 10 and Namibia on February 18, while the February 15 fixture against India will be forfeited.

Weather conditions have added another layer of concern.

According to BBC Weather, thundery showers are expected on Saturday, February 7, with light winds throughout the day. Temperatures may reach around 32 degrees Celsius during the day and fall to nearly 22 degrees at night. Rain is more likely from the afternoon into the evening, while the morning may remain partly cloudy.

If rain causes a washout, Pakistan’s qualification hopes could suffer further damage. With the loss of points against India already confirmed, Pakistan will likely need to win all three remaining group matches and improve their net run rate significantly to stay in contention.

Any further loss of points, whether through rain or defeat, would force Pakistan to rely on other teams’ results, a scenario that has often haunted the greenshirts in major tournaments.

Sialkot Stallionz, one of the two new franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), have officially signed former Australia captain Steve Smith ahead of PSL 11.

The franchise announced the signing on social media, writing, “One of the biggest signings in PSL history: a game changer, powerhouse player, we welcome Steve Smith on board as a Stallion! SS x SS – Lets goooooo “

Smith will join former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Tim Paine, who has been appointed head coach of the team. 

The Stallionz were introduced as one of two new PSL teams and are owned by OZ Developers, led by Hamza Majeed and Kamil Khan. The ownership rights were acquired during the PSL 2026 auction for a record Rs 1.85 billion, making it the most expensive franchise purchase in league history.

Smith, who has never played in the PSL, arrives on the back of a sensational Big Bash League season with Sydney Sixers. He scored 299 runs in six matches at an average of 59.80 and a strike rate of 167.97, including a 42-ball century. 

Overall, he has played 272 T20 matches, scoring 6,242 runs at an average of 32.68 with a strike rate of 131.38, including five centuries and 30 half-centuries.

Under PSL 11 rules, franchises can directly sign one foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for a new international cricket organisation.

Taking to X, he wrote “A new international organisation of cricket is needed to keep the spirit of the gentleman’s game alive, ICC has become hostage to Indian political interests in South Asia.”

The controversy comes after the Government of Pakistan allowed the national team to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup but decided not to play the scheduled February 15 match against India. Pakistan reportedly made the decision in solidarity with Bangladesh.

The move follows Bangladesh’s request to shift all its matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. The request came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI) removed Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid reported threats from Hindu extremist groups. 

Bangladesh argued that if India could not guarantee the safety of a single player, it could not ensure the security of an entire team during a global tournament.

Instead of addressing the concerns, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland. Pakistan described the decision as unfair and noted that the ICC had previously allowed India to play at a neutral venue after it refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Pakistan said it stood firmly with Bangladesh and called the denial of similar consideration an injustice.

Earlier, Pakistan had linked its participation in the tournament to government approval. After PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week, the government announced on Sunday that Pakistan would skip the high-profile match against India. 

Despite the boycott, Pakistan remains well placed to qualify for the next round based on its remaining group matches.

The decision has raised major financial concerns for Indian broadcasters. The Pakistan-India clash ranks as the most valuable fixture in world cricket. Reports estimate that Indian broadcasters could lose nearly $250 million, around 70 billion Pakistani rupees, if the match is not played. The ICC could also lose millions in gate revenue.

Reports suggest that almost half of the total revenue from the T20 World Cup depends on the Pakistan-India fixture. The boycott is expected to affect broadcasters, advertisers, and other stakeholders. 

Pakistan receives around $35 million annually as its ICC revenue share. Following broadcaster losses, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could face legal action over commercial commitments.