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LAHORE: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has revealed that conditions played a major role behind Haris Rauf omission from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad.

While addressing the media on the occasion of the team announcement, Hesson revealed that Pakistan’s decision to take only three specialist seamers for World Cup were due to Sri Lanka conditions.

“When we decided to only take three seamers in Sri Lanka, there were obviously going to be some key seamers,” Hesson told reporters.

The head coach furhter elaborated that Haris Rauf was in contention but ultimately missed out due to limited slots.

“Wasim Jr, Ahmed Daniyal and Haris Rauf were certainly considered, but unfortunately there’s no spot. The three that are going — Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Salman Mirza — can all bowl in all three phases of the game, which is really important when you’re potentially going to play two in Sri Lanka,” he explained.

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Hesson mentioned the previous editions of the World Cup where conditions allowed an extra seamer, noting that Faheem Ahsraf provides an all-round option incase if a third pacer is required.

“In previous World Cups and previously, we have always taken an extra seamer there because conditions have dictated that, whereas in this situation we haven’t gone down that path,” he stated.

“We have only picked three frontline seamers, with Faheem Ashraf as the all-rounder if we decide to play three, so that was pretty straightforward, and some very good players missed out,” Hesson revealed.

For those unwared, Rauf’s last appearance for Pakistan in T20I cricket came during the Asia Cup final against India on September 28, 2025, a match in which he struggled, conceding 50 runs in 3.4 overs while defending 146.

The performance raised questions about his ability to handle pressure in big moments, and he has not featured in the national T20I team since.

He was also left out of the T20I squads for the away series against Sri Lanka and the upcoming home series against Australia.

Earlier, Pakistan revealed the squad for T20 World Cup 2026 with skipper Salman Ali Agha set to lead the side.

Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad

Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (WK), and Usman Tariq.

READ: Mohsin Naqvi breaks silence on Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 participation

LAHORE: Pakistan have revealed their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin on 7 February across Sri Lanka and India.

The squad was announced at a press conference attended by PCB Director of High Performance and member of the Men’s National Selection Committee Aqib Javed, Head Coach of the Pakistan white-ball team Mike Hesson, and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha.

Salman Ali Agha will lead the side for the first time in an ICC event. The team also features Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Tariq, all of whom will play the World Cup for the first time.

 

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The squad also includes Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Usman Khan.

For the unversed, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February with the opening match scheduled between Pakistan and the Netherlands.

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Pakistan are slotted in Group A alongside India, the Netherlands, the USA, and Namibia. The Green Shirts will play all their matches in Sri Lanka under the Hybrid model.

Following the fixture against the Netherlands, Pakistan will then lock horns with USA on 10 February.

The high-voltage clash against arch-rivals India will be played on 15 February, whereas their final group-stage match is against Namibia on 18 February.

If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals and final, both knockout matches will be played in Colombo. Otherwise, the semi-final and final will be held in Kolkata and Ahmedabad, respectively.

Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad

Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (WK), and Usman Tariq.

Pakistan World Cup fixtures

Pakistan vs Netherlands: February 7, Colombo

Pakistan vs USA: February 10, Colombo

Pakistan vs India: February 15, Colombo

Pakistan vs Namibia: February 18, Colombo

READ: Mohsin Naqvi breaks silence on Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 participation

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday said that a final call on the national team’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be taken by the federal government.

Naqvi’s remarks came after reports emerged that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the upcoming World Cup following Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India for the event.

The ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had been engaged in prolonged discussions over the issue, but failed to reach a compromise.

Earlier this week, the ICC formally rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate their matches from India to Sri Lanka, insisting the existing schedule would remain unchanged and issuing what was effectively a final ultimatum.

Against that backdrop, sources had suggested that Pakistan could also consider boycotting the tournament should Bangladesh withdraw or be forced out.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Mohsin Naqvi made it clear that the PCB would not act independently on the matter and would align itself with the government’s position.

“The prime minister [Shehbaz Sharif] is currently not in the country. Once he returns, we will announce a final decision,” Naqvi said when asked about Pakistan’s stance following the ICC’s decision on Bangladesh.

The PCB chairman openly criticised the ICC’s handling of the situation, accusing the governing body of applying double standards and treating Bangladesh unfairly.

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“Bangladesh has been treated unjustly. I raised the same point during the ICC board meeting,” Naqvi said.

“You cannot have a situation where one country is allowed to make decisions whenever it wants, while another is denied the same consideration.”

He stressed that Bangladesh should, in his view, be allowed to participate in the World Cup under any circumstances.

“They are a major stakeholder in international cricket. This kind of injustice should not happen,” he added.

Naqvi also alluded to what he described as the BCCI’s influence over ICC decision-making, warning that Pakistan would not accept any form of diktat.

“Bangladesh is the same ICC member as Pakistan,” he said. “If concessions have been made in the past for certain countries, then the same approach should be applied to Bangladesh.”

“One country cannot dictate terms to another. And if any such attempt is made, Pakistan will take its own clear stance,” Naqvi concluded.

READ: Bangladesh replaced by Scotland at T20 World Cup 2026: report

Record-shattering Novak Djokovic said he was “hanging in there” after becoming the first player to win 400 Grand Slam matches Saturday on his way into the last 16 at the Australian Open.

The 38-year-old Serbian great swept past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) in front of a boisterous crowd on centre court to extend his own all-time record of match wins at the majors.

Roger Federer (369) and Serena Williams (365) are the next best.

Victory was also his 102nd at Melbourne Park, where he has won 10 titles, tying Federer for the most Australian Open singles wins.

Djokovic’s reward is a fourth-round clash with either Czech rising star Jakub Mensik or American tournament debutant Ethan Quinn, whose match was delayed due to extreme heat.

The 24-time Slam winner is in good form so far as he bids to shatter the recent dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

“I’m still trying to give these young guys a push for their money,” said Djokovic. “I’m still around. I’m hanging in there.

“Obviously, Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world. They’re playing on a different level from all of us right now.

“But, you know, when you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance, particularly here, on the court that has given me the most in my career.”

But after making the semi-finals at all four majors last year and not going further, he stressed that he was “not getting ahead of myself”.

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“Last year I got too excited, too early in some of the Grand Slams,” he said. “I was playing really well and getting to the quarters and semis and then getting injured in pretty much three out of four.”

The 75th-ranked Van de Zandschulp upset Djokovic in three sets at Indian Wells last year, but never looked like pulling off another shock.

The fourth seed wound back the clock with some phenomenal tennis in set one, securing the critical break in the fourth game after a mammoth 26-point rally.

He broke the Dutchman again on his opening serve in the second set and moved to 4-2, but it was a struggle, and he became noticeably more irritable.

At one point, he smacked a ball towards an advertising hoarding out of frustration and nearly hit a ball kid, quickly apologising.

Novak Djokovic had work on his foot during a medical timeout in set three after a tumble.

They exchanged breaks, and the set went to a tiebreak, where he proved the most resilient.

“A few points before, I almost saw the physio, I was planning to see him for my blisters,” he said of the fall where he appeared to turn his ankle.

“Thankfully, I managed a good fall, if you can say that. Things could’ve been really ugly in that moment.”

Djokovic has been tied with Margaret Court on 24 major titles since winning the US Open in 2023.

READ: Bangladesh replaced by Scotland at T20 World Cup 2026: report

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to replace Bangladesh with Scotland at the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, following Bangladesh’s continued refusal to travel to India for the tournament, according to a report by Cricbuzz.

The report claims ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta formally informed board members on Saturday that Bangladesh were not complying with the governing body’s earlier decision to stick to the existing schedule.

With no breakthrough after weeks of discussions, the ICC moved to enforce its stance and extend a formal invitation to Scotland, who will now take Bangladesh’s place at the marquee event.

The decision brings an end to nearly three weeks of back-and-forth between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC.

The dispute centred on Bangladesh’s refusal to play their World Cup matches in India, citing security concerns, and their insistence on relocating fixtures to Sri Lanka.

According to the report, the ICC informed the BCB via email on Friday evening after Bangladesh conveyed that its government had not granted permission for the team to travel to India for the tournament, scheduled to begin on February 7.

The matter had escalated earlier this week when the ICC Board held an emergency video conference on Wednesday.

During the meeting, a majority of directors reportedly voted in favour of replacing Bangladesh should they continue to reject the agreed schedule.

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The BCB was given until Thursday to consult its government and confirm whether it would travel to India. However, both the Bangladesh government and the board reiterated their position.

Bangladesh were drawn in Group C and were set to play their first three matches in Kolkata, followed by a group-stage fixture in Mumbai.

Security concerns first surfaced earlier this month after the BCCI, on January 3, instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad.

While no official reason was cited, the move came amid worsening diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.

A day later, the BCB formally wrote to the ICC, stating, after consultation with the government, that the national team would not travel to India for its World Cup matches, a stance it maintained despite multiple rounds of talks.

Scotland’s inclusion is understood to be based on their consistent performances in recent ICC tournaments and their current world ranking of 14.

They narrowly missed out on progression at the 2024 T20 World Cup and have registered notable wins in past editions, including victories over West Indies (2022) and Bangladesh (2021).

As per the revised arrangement, Scotland will slot into Group C, where they are scheduled to face West Indies, Italy and England in Kolkata, before travelling to Mumbai to play Nepal.

While the ICC has yet to issue an official public statement, sources quoted in the report insist the decision is final, effectively ending Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 and underlining the ICC’s firm position amid mounting geopolitical tensions.

READ: Anisimova ramps up Melbourne title bid with imperious win

Amanda Anisimova ramped up her Australian Open title charge with a 6-1, 6-4 beating of fellow American Peyton Stearns on Saturday to reach the last 16 in imperious fashion.

The fourth seed defied a Melbourne Park heatwave to run out a comfortable winner in 71 minutes in roasting sunshine.

The impressive 24-year-old will play either 13th-seed Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic or China’s Wang Xinyu for a place in the quarter-finals.

Anisimova enjoyed a breakout year in 2025, reaching finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, and is aiming to go one better in 2026

“Super-hot today,” Anisimova said in her on-court interview, which she conducted wrapped in an ice towel.

“I had a lot of fun today playing in front of you guys, especially a lot of American supporters.”

Anisimova steamrollered the 68th-ranked Stearns in the first set at Margaret Court Arena.

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The 24-year-old Stearns held up the victory charge in the second set as Anisimova wobbled on her serve.

The world number four looked briefly rattled as Stearns won three games in a row after trailing 5-1.

It only delayed the inevitable, but not before Anisimova racked up a seventh double fault.

“We were just battling it out there at the end,” said Anisimova, who is yet to drop a set in three matches at the first major of the season.

She defeated Switzerland’s Simona Waltert 6-3, 6-2 in her opener and dismissed Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-4 in round two.

READ: Teenage giantkiller Jovic gets help from ‘kind’ Djokovic in Melbourne

Giantkiller Iva Jovic has credited “kind and attentive” Novak Djokovic for helping her make a splash at the Australian Open, with the 18-year-old taking tips from the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

Jovic, the youngest player in the women’s top 100, stunned seventh seed and two-time Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini on Friday to make the last 16.

It was the biggest scalp of her burgeoning career, and Serbian great Djokovic, who is 20 years her senior, had a hand in it.

“Actually, I spoke to Novak a little bit. So it was pretty incredible,” said Jovic.

“He gave me some very attentive tips for my game and something I can try to incorporate into this match that I just played.

“So that was one of the things at the forefront of my mind because I think when Novak gives you some advice, you follow it.”

Asked what advice he gave her, Jovic replied: “It was just to open up the court a little bit better, to not rush into the shots all the time, find some more width.

“So I tried to do that, and it ended well. So I’m just going to try to keep listening to Novak.”

While Jovic is American, her father is from Serbia and her mother from Croatia.

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She is still closely connected to her roots, visiting Serbia annually, both the capital of Belgrade and the southern town of Leskovac, where she has extended family.

It makes the link to Novak Djokovic a natural one, but also one Jovic finds “pretty insane”.

“You always think about those moments where you’re going to meet your idols a little bit, and I think sometimes for certain people it can be a little bit deflating if they are maybe not as nice or as open as you anticipated,” she said.

“But he’s almost even kinder and even more attentive outside the cameras than what he’s portrayed. It was amazing.

“I mean, he’s so intelligent and smart and really wants to help the younger generation. So I’m really grateful to have that advice.

“Hopefully, I’ll speak with him more and listen to his advice. ”

Iva Jovic claimed her maiden title in 2025 at Guadalajara and started the year in sizzling form, making the semi-finals in Auckland and the final at Hobart.

Seeded 29 in Melbourne, she will play Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.

READ: Inter Milan thrash Pisa to extend Serie A lead to six points

Inter Milan roared back from two goals down to hammer promoted Pisa 6-2 on Friday and move six points clear at the top of Serie A.

Fans at a soaking San Siro were left in shock by Stefano Moreo’s early brace, including a brilliant chip over Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer from near the halfway line.

But Piotr Zielinski’s penalty in the 39th minute sparked a comeback at the end of the first half, with strike pairing Lautaro Martinez and Pio Esposito both thumping home powerful headers to put Inter ahead at the break.

Federico Dimarco, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Henrikh Mkhitaryan rounded off the scoring in the final 10 minutes to secure Inter’s ninth win in a 10-match unbeaten run in the league.

“When I came on, the idea was to score one before half-time, and after that it would have been a long second half (for Pisa),” said Dimarco, who was introduced shortly before Zielinski scored.

“But we scored three, we reacted well. Sometimes, when you play a lot of games, you can approach a game the wrong way, but it was important to turn it around.”

Inter’s thumping victory piled pressure on title rivals AC Milan and Napoli, who both have tough away fixtures this weekend.

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Inter’s closest challengers, Milan, travel south on Sunday to take on fourth-placed Roma, who are yet to win a high-profile fixture but continue to improve under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Meanwhile, Napoli are nine points back in third, with the champions in Turin on Sunday after a draw at 10-man FC Copenhagen left them at risk of being eliminated from the Champions League.

Pisa are bottom of the division, having collected just four points from their last 10 matches.

This heavy defeat came after a dream start in the Tuscan side’s first match against Inter at the San Siro since October 1990.

The 5,000 away fans roared their delight when Moreo pounced on a poor Sommer pass to fire back over his head into an empty net in the 11th minute before the Italian forward doubled the away side’s lead with his head midway through the first half.

But Alberto Gilardino’s team crumbled once Zielinski struck, and Pisa ended up conceding the same number of goals to Inter that they did over a quarter of a century ago.

READ: Guardiola confident as Man City chase ‘world’s best’ Arsenal

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City are tasked with chasing down the best team in the world in Premier League leaders Arsenal as he launched a defiant defence of his players after a chastening week.

City were well beaten by local rivals Manchester United last weekend before suffering one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history away to Norway’s Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday.

Guardiola’s men are yet to win a league game in 2026, allowing Arsenal to open up a seven-point lead in the title race.

But the City boss backed his “extraordinary” group of players to respond as they remain in contention for silverware in four competitions.

“Absolutely, the best team right now in the world,” said Guardiola on the challenge of chasing down Arsenal, who have also won all seven of their Champions League matches.

“So look in the Champions League, in the Premier League, look in (the) FA Cup, in Carabao Cup – it’s the best team right now.

“Hopefully we can be close and getting better, getting better and have the chance to catch them.

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“I have an extraordinary team, an extraordinary group of players. And we are all together. We are a fantastic football team, I don’t have any doubts about that.”

City’s dip in form has coincided with the loss of key defenders Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol to injury.

The arrival of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace should mitigate their absence with the England international set to make his debut against Wolves on Saturday.

“It’s going to help us because the experience of Mark is exceptional,” added Guardiola.

“Considering the absence of central defenders it’s really good.”

Dias, Gvardiol and Nico Gonzalez remain sidelined for City, but Matheus Nunes could return after missing the last two games with a virus.

READ: Chelsea boss Rosenior breaks silence on Palmer’s homesickness reports

Pacer Nathan Ellis became the latest addition to Australia’s growing injury concerns ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin next month across Sri Lanka and India next month.

Leading the Hobart Hurricanes in BBL 15, the right-arm pacer Ellis was a late withdrawal from the Challenger against Sydey Sixers, raising fears over his availability for the T20 World Cup.

The 31-year-old had also missed the Hurricanes knockout fixture against Melbourne Stars due to injury and was expected to play in Challenger. However, the pacer was unable to recover from the injury.

Ellis, who famously took hat-trick on his T20I debut, is the latest addition to Australia’s injury concerns, as the ace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are recovering from injuries to be fit for the mega event.

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Hazlewood, sidelined since November last year, is expected to be fully fit before the tournament, while Cummins is likely to rejoin the squad in the latter stages of the mega event.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis also faced setback as he suffered a blow to his hand and was forced to retire during the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 fixture, subsequently requiring a scan.

Tim David is another player who pulled up his hamstring during the BBL fixture and is currently recovering ahead of the mega event.

It is worth mentioning that ahead of the T20 World Cup, Australia will tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, slated to commence on 29 January in Lahore.

Provisional Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa.

READ: Surya, Kishan help India chase down 209 against New Zealand