Author: A Sports

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that the Men in Blue will continue to follow International Cricket Council (ICC) procedures regarding its T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage fixture against Pakistan.

Pakistan and India are scheduled to meet on February 15 in Colombo during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

However, the Government of Pakistan announced on Sunday that the national team will participate in the tournament but will not take the field against India in the group match.

Despite the boycott stance, BCCI sources said India is fully prepared to proceed as per the tournament schedule and fulfil all formal requirements laid down by the ICC.

“India will travel to Sri Lanka on 15th February and follow ICC protocol. They will practice as per schedule, do a press conference and reach the stadium according to time and wait for the match referee to call off the match,” a BCCI source said.

The development comes at a time when the ICC has already issued a strong warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), cautioning that “selective participation” in global events is not compatible with the spirit of ICC tournaments.

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Within hours of the Pakistan government’s announcement, the ICC released a sharply worded statement, stressing that such a move could have wider consequences not only for Pakistan cricket but also for the global cricket structure.

“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of,” the ICC stated.

The world body further urged the PCB to explore solutions that protect the tournament’s integrity and ensure fairness for all stakeholders involved.

“The ICC’s priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which should also be the responsibility of all its members, including the PCB,” the statement added.

“It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.”

READ: ICC issues warning to Pakistan over boycotting India clash

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday addressed Pakistan’s decision to boycott their T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India, warning that “selective participation” could have serious implications for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Pakistan were originally scheduled to face arch-rivals India on February 15 in Colombo during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

However, the Government of Pakistan announced on Sunday that the national team will take part in the tournament but will not play India.

Within hours of the government’s announcement, the ICC released a strongly worded statement, clarifying that it has not yet received official communication from the PCB regarding the matter.

“The ICC notes the statement that the government of Pakistan has made regarding the decision to instruct its national team to selectively participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” the ICC said in a statement.

“While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule.”

The ICC further stressed that its tournaments are built on sporting integrity and fairness, warning that refusing to play a particular opponent undermines the very foundation of international competition.

“ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” it added.

Although the ICC acknowledged the role governments play in national policy decisions, it maintained that the move is not in the sport’s best interests and could hurt cricket fans, including millions in Pakistan.

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“While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” the statement continued.

In a clear warning aimed at the PCB, the ICC urged Pakistan’s cricket authorities to reflect on the long-term consequences of such a stance.

“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of,” it said.

The governing body also called on the PCB to find a solution that safeguards the tournament and the interests of all stakeholders.

“The ICC’s priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which should also be the responsibility of all its members, including the PCB,” the ICC further stated.

“It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.”

Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA, and are set to play all their matches in Sri Lanka under the tournament’s hosting model.

The Green Shirts will open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by matches against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.

READ: Babar Azam surpasses Kohli to reach major T20I milestone

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday unveiled the official jersey of the national team for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to begin on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka.

The official reveal took place during the third and last T20I fixture between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared the video on its YouTube channel and social media accounts, featuring skipper Salman Ali Agha and others wearing the ‘Vanguard Markhor Edition’ jersey.

The jersey features a light green base color with darker green patterns layered over it to depict the country’s national animal – Markhor.

For the unversed, Pakistan’s men’s cricket team is set to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, but will not play against arch-rivals India.

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The decision follows after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Pakistan were originally scheduled to play India on 15 February in the T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo.

The Government of Pakistan officially announced the decision on X post, stating that the Pakistan team would participate in the mega event, but also noted that the team would not take the field in the match scheduled for 15th February 2026 against India.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India,” the post wrote.

READ: Babar Azam surpasses Kohli to reach major T20I milestone

LAHORE: Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam on Sunday broke another record held by India’s Virat Kohli, becoming the leading half-century maker in the men’s T20Is.

The 31-year-old reached the landmark feat during Pakistan’s third T20I against Australia, scoring 50* from 36 balls with the aid of three fours and a six.

The knock marked Babar’s 39th half-century in T20Is, taking him past Kohli, who brought down curtains on his decorated limited-overs career in 2024 after scoring 38 fifties.

Most half-centuries in men’s T20Is

39* – Babar Azam Pakistan (132 innings)
38 – Virat Kohli India (117 innings)
32 – Rohit Sharma India (151 innings)
30 – Mohammad Rizwan Pakistan (93 innings)
28 – David Warner (110 innings)
28 – Jos Buttler (132 innings)

For those unaware, Babar is also the top run-scorer in men’s T20Is, accumulating 4505 runs in 132 innings, with an average of 39.51 and a strike rate of 128.38. Additionally, he has scored three centuries in this format.

With the help of his half-century, Pakistan posted a daunting total of 207 in 20 overs against Australia.

In reply, Australia were bowled out for just 96 in 16.5 overs. The visitors lost the fixture by 111 runs, their biggest margin of defeat in T20I cricket.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz picked up five wicket haul in his quota of four overs while giving away 19. Shaheen Shah Afridi also took two wickets.

With this win, Pakistan also completed 3-0 whitewash over them, a timely confidence booster ahead of T20 World Cup 2026.

READ: India defeat Pakistan to reach U19 World Cup semi-final

LAHORE: Pakistan’s men’s cricket team is set to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, but will not play against arch-rivals India, the Government of Pakistan confirmed on Sunday.

The decision follows after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Pakistan were originally scheduled to play India on 15 February in the T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo.

The Government of Pakistan officially announced the decision on X post, stating that the Pakistan team would participate in the mega event, but also noted that the team would not take the field in the match scheduled for 15th February 2026 against India.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India,” the post wrote.

For the unversed, speculation has been rife about Pakistan’s World Cup participation following the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejection of Bangladesh’s venue change request, which has led to the team’s boycott of the mega event.

On Monday, 25 January, Mohsin Naqvi met Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the potential withdrawal from the tournament.

“Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday,” he had written on his X account.

The situation surrounding Pakistan’s participation intensified on 24 January when the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament after they refused to travel to India, citing security concerns.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will commence on 7 February across India and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will play the World Cup opener against the Netherlands on 7 February and have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals, the USA and Namibia.

Under the tournament’s hybrid model, Pakistan’s group-stage matches are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, even though India is one of the co-hosts.

READ: Pakistan bowl out India for 252 in U19 World Cup clash

LAHORE: Pakistan on Sunday crushed Australia by a hefty margin of 111 runs in the third and final T20I as Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Nawaz starred to give the home side a timely confidence booster ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set a daunting 208, Australia were skittled for 96 in 16.5 overs, with the last batter, Adam Zampa, not coming out to bat.

The home side inflicted a miserable start on Australia as Shaheen Afridi knocked over Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh on the fourth ball of the over.

This set the tone as the Australian batting order could not deliver, with Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw getting dismissed in a cheap manner.

As a result, Australia were reduced to 16-3 in 2.5 overs with Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis at the crease.

The pair arrested the slide with a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket, propelling the score to 60 in 9.1 overs.

Mohammad Nawaz broke the threatening stand, cleaning up Stoinis. The all-rounder made 23 from 22 with the help of three fours.

Following the wicket, the Australian innings quickly unfolded with Nawaz tormented through the visitors’ batting order.

The whole side was eventually bowled out, leading to their largest defeat margin in T20Is.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz picked up five wicket haul in his quota of four overs while giving away 19. Shaheen Shah Afridi also took two wickets.

Earlier, Saim Ayub and Babar Azam’s gutsy half-centuries and a quick-fire knock from Shadab Khan propelled Pakistan to a big total

Opting to bat first, Pakistan racked up 207-6 at the end of their 20 overs.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first proved decisive as the hosts recovered from an early setback to post their highest total of the series in the Pakistan vs Australia T20I clash.

The Green Shirts made a stuttering start when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 10 in the second over, with just 14 runs on the board.

The early wicket brought Agha to the crease at number three, but the skipper failed to repeat his earlier heroics, falling for a three-ball five to Ben Dwarshuis, leaving Pakistan struggling at 34 for 2 in 3.4 overs.

The innings steadied when experienced campaigner Babar Azam joined Saim Ayub, and the pair shifted momentum with a brisk 69-run partnership for the third wicket. Ayub was the aggressor, finding the gaps with ease before being dismissed on the first ball of the 12th over.

Ayub top-scored with a polished 56 off 37 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, before holing out to a spectacular catch by Matthew Renshaw in the deep off Matthew Kuhnemann.

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Babar then combined briefly with Khawaja Nafay, adding 28 runs for the fourth wicket. Nafay impressed with a quick 21 off 12 balls, hitting two sixes and a boundary before departing.

With Pakistan well placed at 131 for 4 after 14 overs, all-rounder Shadab Khan provided late impetus, smashing a rapid 46 off just 19 deliveries, including five sixes among seven boundaries.

Shadab also shared a vital 57-run stand with Babar, who anchored the innings and remained unbeaten on 50 from 36 balls, featuring three fours and a six.

For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis was the most effective bowler, finishing with 2 for 39, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, and Matthew Short claimed one wicket each.

READ: PSL new outfit Hyderabad set for official launch on Feb 7

BULAWAYO: India outplayed Pakistan by 58 runs to secure a place in the semi-final of the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 here at the Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

Set to chase 253 in 33.3 overs, Pakistan were effectively out of the contest by the 24th over due to their cautious approach, whereas a middle-order collapse eventually saw them lose the match.

With a steep task required, Pakistan needed a strong opening foundation; however, the openers’ wickets fell with only 23 on the board in 3.4 overs.

The breakout star for Pakistan, Sameer Minhas, managed nine from 11 balls.

After an early hiccup, Usman Khan and Hamza Zahoor put the chase back on track with a 60-run partnership from 80 balls.

The pair brought the team’s total to 88 at the end of 17 overs.

Kanishk Chouhan provided India the much-needed breakthrough in the shape of Zahoor’s wicket, who was bowled after scoring 42 from 49 balls with the help of eight fours.

Despite the wicket, Pakistan continued on as skipper Farhan Yousaf and Usman Khan added another 63 runs for the third wicket.

RS Ambrish picked up the wicket of Yousaf to break the stand, a wicket that sparked a collapse from which Pakistan could not recover.

The skipper made 38 off 39, striking three fours and two sixes.

After his wicket, Pakistan lost their way as they slumped to 151-3 in 29.4 overs to 183-7 and later all-out.

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Usman top-scored with 66 off 92, including seven fours.

For India, Khilan Patel and captain Ayush Mhatre shared six wickets between them.

Earlier, Abdul Subhan took a three-wicket haul as Pakistan restricted India from posting a daunting total

Put into bat first, India’s innings folded for 252 in 49.4 overs.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Aaron George provided India a rapid start, adding 47 for the opening wicket in the first 7.4 overs.

Sooryavanshi remained the core aggressor, striking six and five fours in his 30 from 22. However, Mohammad Sayyam delivered a much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan as India lost both openers in the same over.

The right-arm pacer first removed Sooryavanshi, who was caught, and followed it by George’s wicket.

India were further in dire straits as their skipper, Ayush Mhatre, was sent packing for a duck. Thus, the men in blue were reduced to 47-3 in 8.1 overs.

With India in deep trouble, Vedant Trivedi came to the fore and held India’s innings together.

The right-hander remained instrumental in powering India to a respectable total. He first stitched a crucial 62-run partnership with Vihaan Malhotra, who made 21.

Then he strung a couple of stands with middled order batters, Abhigyan Kundu and RS Ambrish, to put India out of trouble.

He eventually departed in the 40th over, after scoring 68 from 98 with the help of two fours and a six.  At this stage, India were 182-6.

Nonetheless, India lost three wickets in the final over, but Kanishk Chouhan’s (35 from 29 balls) ensured that they set a challenging target for Pakistan.

For Pakistan, Abdul Subhan picked up a three-wicket haul while Mohammad Sayyam picked up two wickets.

READ: PSL new outfit Hyderabad set for official launch on Feb 7

The latest addition to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Hyderabad is set for official franchise launch on February 7 at Niaz Stadium.

The announcement was shared via Kingsmen Cricket’s social media accounts, along with a banner promoting the launch event.

“The energy is rising, and the stage is almost ready! The official launch event is here. We’ll be awaiting you all at Niaz Stadium,” the caption of the post read.

According to the organizers, the launch event will also include a live concert and fireworks, with singer Saif Samejo set to lightup the ceremony.

Moreover, as part of the launch activities, a rally will be organized from Karachi to Hyderabad to celebrate the introduction of the new franchise and engage cricket fans across the region.

For those unaware, the Hyderabad franchise, one of two new teams joining PSL 11 alongside the Sialkot Stallionz, was secured by Sarwar’s Kingsmen Group through the auction with a winning bid of Rs 1.75 billion ($6.25 million).

The franchise have already stacked up their coaching staff with the likes of prominent names.

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Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie will oversee the team as head coach. The 50-year-old has previously worked in Pakistan cricket and was appointed as head coach of the national Test side in April 2024.

Meanwhile, Bradburn will work as the fielding coach under newly-appointed head coach Jason Gillespie.

Bradburn brings significant experience to the role, having served Pakistan in multiple capacities in recent years.

The former New Zealand cricketer was appointed head coach of the Pakistan men’s national team in 2023.

Before that, Bradburn also served as Pakistan’s fielding coach from 2018 to 2020, and later moved to the National Cricket Academy, where he worked on coach development.

He has also coached internationally, having previously worked as the head coach of Scotland’s men’s team.

The landmark edition of the league, PSL 11, will begin on 26 March, with the auction scheduled for February 11.

READ: Pakistan to consider plan ‘B’ as World Cup decision hangs in balance: sources

LAHORE: Pakistan have won the toss and decided to bat first in the third T20I against Australia here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and Australia have played 29 T20I matches, with both teams winning the same number of the matches.

Matches 30, Pakistan 14, Australia 14, NR 1

Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, USA, the Netherlands and Namibia, while Australia will feature in Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shahen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe (wk), Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa

READ: Cameron Green makes ‘chucking’ gesture after Usman Tariq dismissal

LAHORE: A fresh debate has erupted around the bowling action of Pakistan mystery spinner Usman Tariq after Australian batter Cameron Green was seen making a gesture widely interpreted as an accusation of “chucking” during the second T20I in Lahore.

The moment occurred right after Green’s dismissal in Tariq’s very first over of the match.

Green, who looked in control during his stay at the crease, was dismissed for 35 when Shadab Khan completed a catch off Tariq’s delivery, giving Pakistan a crucial breakthrough at a key stage of the innings.

However, what followed quickly became the bigger talking point.

As Green walked back to the pavilion, broadcast cameras caught him making a gesture that many fans and social media users interpreted as suggesting an illegal bowling action, commonly referred to as “throwing” or “chucking.”

While the incident has drawn widespread attention, it is not the first time Tariq’s action has come under scrutiny.

The spinner has previously faced questions over his bowling mechanics and was reported for a suspected action during PSL 9 and PSL 10.

On both occasions, Usman Tariq underwent official testing at the PCB-accredited biomechanics lab and was subsequently cleared, with his action declared legal.

In earlier remarks while addressing the controversy, Tariq had maintained that his bowling falls within the ICC’s permitted 15-degree elbow extension limit, explaining that the structure of his elbow naturally prevents him from fully straightening his arm, a factor which, he said, can sometimes lead to misconceptions about his release.

Tariq also stressed that whenever a spinner is accused of throwing, the most appropriate response is to undergo lab testing and correct the action if required.

He revealed he has already completed two official tests in Pakistan, both of which cleared him without the need for any changes.

“I was confident from the beginning that I don’t throw the ball,” Tariq had said, while urging critics to better understand the sport before making allegations.

READ: Usman Tariq cleared of suspect bowling action