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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

Kylian Mbappe stayed calm to roll home a 100th-minute penalty and claim a 2-1 win for Real Madrid over nine-man Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in a spicy La Liga derby clash.

Los Blancos cut Barcelona’s lead back to one point at the top of the table after the Spanish champions beat Elche on Saturday.

Vinicius Junior scored early on for Madrid after Jude Bellingham limped off with an apparent hamstring injury.

Jorge de Frutos pulled Rayo level early in the second half as Madrid fans showed their anger at their team following the midweek Champions League defeat at Benfica.

After Pathe Ciss’s red card tilted the game in Madrid’s favour, Mbappe netted from the spot at the death for his 22nd La Liga goal this season.

Pep Chavarria was also sent off in the final stages for Rayo, 17th, who took a shaky Madrid to the wire before falling short.

Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said it would take time before the team could become more consistent, having had six games at the helm since replacing Xabi Alonso.

“I’m not Gandalf the White,” the Madrid coach told reporters, referring to the Lord of the Rings wizard.

“What I want from my players is what I’m seeing: commitment, attitude, mentality, knowing that to win each game, quality is not enough, consistency is key.

“We will work on that, in terms of performance, mentality, ambition and attitude.”

Arbeloa said Madrid had to play better than other teams to beat opponents, because of their illustrious name.

“This is Real Madrid, and to beat Rayo Vallecano we need to do more than the rest of the teams in La Liga,” he continued.

The coach said Bellingham would be a “big absence” for the matches ahead if his injury proves serious, but for now, “we don’t know anything”.

After the defeat in Portugal left Madrid in the Champions League play-off round, the Santiago Bernabeu crowd was in an unforgiving mood.

Arbeloa and Mbappe had begged fans to support the team, but, just as they did a fortnight ago against Levante, they whistled their own players.

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Madrid suffered an early setback as England international Bellingham pulled up holding the back of his thigh, going off in agony.

Vinicius fired the hosts ahead in the 15th minute, showing tidy footwork just inside the area before firing high over Augusto Batalla and into the net.

Los Blancos were in charge, but despite taking the lead, their fans were not appeased and whistled the team in at the break.

Four minutes into the second half, Rayo pulled level. Alvaro Garcia nodded a cross down for De Frutos, a former Madrid youth player, to reach and drill home.

The visitors should have taken the lead after an hour when Andrei Ratiu ran through on goal with only Thibaut Courtois to beat, but the Belgian stopper made a superb save to deny him.

Mbappe came centimetres away from putting Madrid in front when Batalla rushed out of his goal, but hit the bar.

Rayo made life harder for themselves when midfielder Ciss was sent off for an ugly foul on Madrid’s Dani Ceballos.

Eduardo Camavinga headed against the post as Arbeloa’s side turned the screw.

With nine minutes of stoppage time ticking down, Madrid were awarded a penalty when Nobel Mendy clumsily fouled Brahim Diaz, and La Liga’s top scorer Mbappe dispatched it to snatch three points for his side.

Rayo finished the match with nine men after Chavarria was shown a second yellow card for shoving Rodrygo Goes.

“The important thing is to improve, to grow as a team, try to be calmer, we can’t always be waiting for the opponent to make a mistake,” said Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde.

Arbeloa said he was now looking forward to a fortnight without midweek games due to Madrid’s early Copa del Rey exit.

“We’ve had a lot more games than training sessions, which are for recovering and can’t be done at high intensity. As a coach, I’ve missed that time to work,” said the coach.

“We’ll use these two weeks to keep improving the team, individually and collectively.”

WATCH: Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 jersey revealed

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

Carlos Alcaraz swept past Novak Djokovic to win his first Australian Open on Sunday and become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, denying the Serbian great an unprecedented 25th major.

The Spaniard was imperious after a slow start in dismissing the 38-year-old, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena to claim a seventh Slam title and cement himself as undisputed world number one.

In doing so, he became the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding to his two titles each from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens.

At 22, he surpassed legendary countryman Rafael Nadal — in the crowd to witness the feat — who was two years older when he did the same.

A seventh Slam put him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander and one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendl.

It was a first defeat for Djokovic in a Melbourne final, having won all 10 previously, leaving him still searching for a landmark 25th major to better Australia’s Margaret Court, who was also watching on centre court.

Djokovic, striving to become the oldest man to lift a Grand Slam singles trophy, last won one at the US Open in 2023. Since then, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shared the spoils.

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Both men battled through five long sets in their semi-finals, Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic against Sinner, and recovery was always going to be key after their physical struggles.

But they showed few signs of fatigue in another gladiatorial contest.

They both opened with comfortable holds before a double fault and netted forehand presented the first break point chance for Djokovic at 2-1.

Alcaraz saved it, but the aggressive fourth seed kept pressing and converted on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead.

Djokovic was reading Alcaraz’s serve well and once he got in the rallies was authoritative, with a sensational forehand winner earning him two set points.

He claimed the set in a statement 33 minutes after a ninth unforced error from the top seed, having dominated the big moments.

It was vintage Djokovic, but Alcaraz came storming back, upping the tempo to break for 2-1 in the second set, pumping his fist when he saved a break point and held in the next game.

Djokovic put drops to his eyes and began rubbing them, unable to tame a now rampant Alcaraz who broke again for 5-2.

There were some sensational rallies that had the crowd on their feet in set three, which went with serve until Djokovic slapped a forehand wide under pressure to slip 2-3 behind.

He gamely saved four set points at 3-5 but with his energy levels dropping was unable to save a fifth as the Spaniard took control.

On the back foot, Djokovic then saved six break points in an 11-minute opening service game in set four to stay alive and kept fighting hard.

But Alcaraz ground him down and pounced as Djokovic served to stay in the match to seal a maiden Australian championship.

It ensured he remained world number one and Sinner two, with Djokovic moving up a place to three ahead of Zverev.

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

LAHORE: Pakistan produced a ruthless all-round performance to outclass Australia in the second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, sealing the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Defending a competitive 198-5, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by a dominant spin effort, dismantled Australia for just 108 in 15.4 overs, handing the visitors a crushing 90-run defeat.

Cameron Green top-scored for Australia with a 20-ball 35, followed by Matthew Short, who made 27 off 23 deliveries.

Other than them, only skipper Mitchell Marsh (18) and Xavier Bartlett (10) managed to reach double figures.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan claimed three wickets each, while Usman Tariq bagged two.

Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz also contributed with one wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha made the most of winning the toss and opting to bat first, as the hosts posted a commanding total on the back of his aggressive knock and a late surge from wicketkeeper Usman Khan.

Pakistan had a shaky start, losing Sahibzada Farhan for 5 in the second over with only 17 on the board. However, Agha quickly took control alongside Saim Ayub, and the pair ensured the innings did not lose momentum in the powerplay.

Agha dominated the stand, while Ayub played a brisk cameo before falling on the penultimate ball of the powerplay. The left-hander struck 23 off 11 balls, hitting four boundaries, before being dismissed by Cooper Connolly.

Pakistan then suffered another setback when Adam Zampa trapped Babar Azam lbw for 2, briefly putting pressure on the hosts at 76/3 in 7.1 overs.

But Agha continued his counter-attack and shifted the momentum decisively with a rapid partnership with Shadab Khan.

The Pakistan skipper brought up his sixth T20I fifty in just 25 balls, eventually top-scoring with a blazing 76 off 40 deliveries, featuring eight fours and four sixes.

Australia finally got relief when Sean Abbott removed Agha in the 13th over, ending a threatening 49-run stand.

At the back end, Usman Khan ensured Pakistan finished strongly, registering his second T20I half-century with a composed yet fluent 52 off 35 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

He also stitched a crucial 63-run partnership with Shadab, who contributed 28 off 20 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a quick 10 off 4 to push Pakistan to 198.

For Australia, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly and Sean Abbott picked up a wicket each.

In reply, Australia never looked settled as Pakistan’s bowlers struck regularly and kept the scoring under control, eventually bundling the visitors out for 108 to wrap up the series with a match to spare.

READ: Aryna Sabalenka ‘really upset’ at blowing chances in Melbourne final loss