Manchester City secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday night in the English Premier League. Liverpool initially took the lead through a spectacular goal from Dominik Szoboszlai, but City equalized with a strike from Bernardo Silva. In injury time, Erling Haaland converted a decisive penalty to complete City’s comeback win.

The result allowed Pep Guardiola’s side to reduce the gap with league leaders Arsenal to six points. City now sit second in the table with 50 points from 25 matches, while Arsenal lead with 56 points from the same number of games. Liverpool, who had lost 3-0 in the first leg at City’s ground in November, remain in sixth place with 39 points.

Despite showing improvement in the second half, Liverpool failed to capitalize on their home advantage and missed the chance for revenge. The win strengthens City’s pursuit of the Premier League title as the season enters its final stretch.

Sri Lanka began their T20 World Cup campaign with a 20-run victory over Ireland in Colombo. After losing the toss, Sri Lanka batted first and posted 163 for six in 20 overs, led by an unbeaten 56 from Kusal Mendis and a quickfire 44 off 19 balls from Kamindu Mendis. Ireland appeared on track for an upset, needing 60 runs from the final six overs with eight wickets in hand, but their chase collapsed dramatically.

Ireland lost eight wickets for just 38 runs in the last 35 balls, finishing all out for 143 in 19.5 overs. For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga each took three wickets, while Matheesha Pathirana claimed two. Ireland’s best efforts came from Harry Tector with 40 and Ross Adair with 34. Kamindu Mendis was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting performance.

The win gave host Sri Lanka a strong start to their home World Cup campaign, while Ireland will look to recover quickly in their next group match.

Silent diplomatic discussions have reportedly begun between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to end the ongoing stalemate in world cricket. Sources indicate that the talks, which also involve circles close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), are now proceeding within a legal and practical framework rather than emotional exchanges. The ICC has raised a key legal question about the justification for invoking a ‘force majeure’ clause for a single match while the rest of the tournament continues, signaling that the dialogue has entered a deeper phase.

Analysts suggest that while a settlement may be possible, it should not be limited to venue changes, financial compensation, or broadcast rights. They argue that such a narrow deal would harm the spirit of cricket. Instead, they call for written inclusion of core behavioral standards, such as mandatory pre- and post-match courtesies, respect for officials, media participation, and dignified presence at ceremonies.

Observers warn that if cricket becomes a stage for political hostility rather than sportsmanship, the game itself will suffer. The outcome of these talks will determine whether cricket can retain its integrity as a bridge between nations.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul arrived in Lahore on February 8, 2026, to attend an emergency meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) under the initiative of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The meeting aims to address Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup after refusing to play in India, Pakistan’s subsequent boycott stance, and possible solutions to the escalating crisis.

The dispute began when Bangladesh declined to play in India citing security concerns, following the exclusion of player Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. The ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, prompting Pakistan to call the decision “political” and “unfair” and to support Bangladesh. Pakistan’s government later declared it would not play against India if Bangladesh remained excluded, raising fears of a major commercial and diplomatic fallout for the ICC.

The Lahore meeting is expected to explore new proposals that could satisfy both Bangladesh and Pakistan. Observers see it as a decisive moment that may determine whether the 2026 T20 World Cup proceeds smoothly or faces deeper turmoil.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that global sports leaders have reached consensus on a new set of eligibility criteria for transgender athletes, expected to be unveiled within the first half of this year. The policy will be the first uniform framework jointly adopted by the IOC and international sports federations, covering major events such as the Olympic Games and world championships. It is anticipated to significantly restrict participation in women’s categories for transgender athletes who have undergone full male puberty before transitioning.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the organization’s first female leader, initiated the move toward a unified approach last June and established the “Protection of the Female Category” working group in September. IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the policy had gone through consultation and reflection phases and that consensus had been achieved across the sporting movement.

The IOC previously left transgender eligibility decisions to individual federations, resulting in varying rules. The forthcoming policy marks a shift toward centralized regulation as the global debate over fairness and inclusion in women’s sports continues.

The Super Bowl, featuring the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, is expected to generate a major economic boost across the United States. The Bay Area Host Committee projects between $370 million and $630 million in economic output from the game alone, as thousands of fans travel to the region and millions more spend heavily on food, drinks, and watch parties nationwide. Bank of America estimates a 77 percent jump in local spending near the stadium, while the National Retail Federation forecasts record consumer spending of $20.2 billion on the event.

Hosting the Super Bowl comes with costs for cities, though Santa Clara’s projected $6.3 million expense is modest compared with the expected returns. Past host cities, such as New Orleans and Atlanta, have seen both significant gains and high costs. Experts note that while the benefits are substantial, they are often short-term and concentrated in specific sectors like hospitality and retail.

NBC, airing the game, has sold out advertising slots at record prices of $10 million for 30 seconds, benefiting from a strong February sports lineup that also includes the Winter Olympics, boosting parent company Comcast’s stock performance.

Fifty Bangladeshi cricketers have been included in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) auction, marking the third-highest representation from a foreign country after Australia with 60 and the West Indies with 57 players. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released the auction list on February 6, 2026. Among Bangladeshi players, only pacer Mustafizur Rahman has already secured a team, joining Lahore Qalandars as one of six directly contracted players.

Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim, and Zakir Hasan have entered the auction with the highest base price of 22 million Pakistani rupees each. National team captains Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Najmul Hossain Shanto are among those listed in the 11 million rupee category, while players like Mohammad Naim, Sabbir Rahman, Akbar Ali, and Aliss Al Islam are in the 6 million rupee bracket.

This year’s PSL will feature an auction format for the first time, replacing the previous players’ draft system. The auction is scheduled to take place in Lahore on February 11, 2026.

Several human rights organizations have issued travel warnings for Florida, one of the host venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing concerns over civil rights and tourist safety. The Florida Immigrant Coalition and the American Friends Service Committee warned that the state’s current immigration policies and law enforcement practices could create a risky environment for international visitors. They advised football fans to remain cautious, particularly due to fears of racial profiling and arbitrary questioning.

Tessa Petit, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, questioned the safety of international tourists, saying that even those with valid documents could face harassment. The groups alleged that people might be stopped or interrogated based on appearance, language, or race, with visitors from Asia, Africa, and Latin America facing higher risks. They also criticized Florida’s immigration and “Stand Your Ground” laws, claiming these could be misused to target minorities.

Florida authorities rejected the allegations, asserting that visitors have nothing to fear if they follow the law. Observers now await whether FIFA or the Trump administration will respond before the global tournament.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing a potential financial loss of over 3.6 trillion Bangladeshi taka after Pakistan decided to boycott its T20 World Cup match against India, according to a report by The Guardian. The match, scheduled for February 15, is crucial for the renewal of ICC’s broadcasting rights deal with Geo Star, valued at three billion US dollars over four years. If the match does not take place, the broadcaster may refuse to renew the contract, severely impacting ICC’s revenue structure, which depends heavily on media rights.

The current deal between ICC and Geo Star expires next year, and its renewal largely depends on the frequency of India-Pakistan encounters, which generate the highest viewership and revenue. Each India-Pakistan match reportedly brings ICC around 200 crore rupees, with total market revenue estimated at 500 million US dollars. Political tensions in South Asia have increased uncertainty, and Sri Lanka Cricket has urged Pakistan to reconsider its stance, though the Pakistan Cricket Board remains firm under government direction.

If the deal collapses, ICC’s income and member distributions, particularly to the Indian board, could decline sharply, threatening the organization’s financial stability.

Manchester United extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on February 7, 2026. Under manager Michael Carrick, the team has now won four consecutive league games. Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring after Tottenham’s Cristian Romero was sent off in the 29th minute for a foul on Casemiro. Bruno Fernandes sealed the victory with a goal in the 81st minute.

United dominated from the start, creating several chances in the first half. Tottenham’s defense initially held firm, but Romero’s red card left them with ten men, and they struggled to recover. Mbeumo’s goal came from a set-piece move involving Kobbie Mainoo and Fernandes, while the captain’s late strike confirmed the result.

With this win, Manchester United moved four points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea. Tottenham remain 14th in the table, having won only two of their last sixteen league matches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reconsidering its decision to boycott the T20 World Cup group-stage match against India, following a formal request from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The match, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, was initially boycotted by Pakistan in protest against the ICC’s decision to exclude Bangladesh from the tournament over security concerns. SLC appealed to Pakistan to withdraw the boycott, citing the long-standing friendship between the two nations and the severe financial losses Sri Lanka would face if the high-profile match did not take place.

According to reports from Indian media, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will discuss the matter with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after returning to Pakistan. SLC President Shammi Silva personally contacted Naqvi, stressing that the India-Pakistan match is crucial for Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery and cricket revenues. The ICC could lose around USD 500 million if the match is canceled, while both cricket boards would face significant financial setbacks.

The PCB’s final decision will depend on consultations with the government, as the original boycott was approved at the cabinet level.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that Bangladesh was deliberately excluded from the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, which begins today. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, February 7, he said the exclusion was a planned act that insulted both the nation and its cricketers. He expressed solidarity with the players and lamented that the country was deprived of the right to participate on the global stage.

Dr. Rahman stated that the absence of Bangladesh from the tournament deprived fans of the joy of cheering for the national team. He described the situation as a humiliation for the nation and urged unity to restore Bangladesh’s dignity in international sports. He also emphasized that the country should not bow to any dominant power and vowed to see Bangladesh regain its rightful place with pride and strength.

According to the report, Bangladesh had participated in every T20 World Cup since the tournament’s inception in 2007 until this edition.

Pakistan opened their World Cup campaign with a dramatic three-wicket victory over the Netherlands on February 7, 2026. Chasing a target of 148, Pakistan were struggling at 114 for 7 before Faheem Ashraf turned the match around with a blistering 11-ball 29, including two fours and three sixes. His explosive batting sealed the win with three balls to spare, giving Pakistan a thrilling start to their tournament.

Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers had restricted the Netherlands to 147 in 19.5 overs. Despite a quick 24 from Michael Levitt and a steady 37 from captain Scott Edwards, the Dutch side lost wickets regularly. Salman Mirza was Pakistan’s standout bowler, taking three wickets. In reply, Pakistan began strongly through Sahibzada Farhan’s 47, but a middle-order collapse put them under pressure before Faheem’s late heroics secured victory.

The result gave captain Salman Ali Agha’s team a confidence-boosting start to their World Cup journey after a tense finish that tested their composure under pressure.

The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup begins today amid a major boycott controversy. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided to withdraw from the tournament after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected its request to change venues. Pakistan has expressed support for Bangladesh’s stance and announced it will not play its group-stage match against India in Colombo. It remains uncertain whether the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will reverse its decision, as reports indicate pressure and threats are being exerted to make them reconsider.

The 20-team tournament is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with matches split between the two countries. Captains’ photo sessions were held separately in Mumbai and Colombo, later digitally combined by the ICC, highlighting organizational challenges for India as a host. Bangladesh’s withdrawal opened a spot in Group C, which was filled by Scotland at the last moment.

The tournament retains its previous format, featuring four groups leading to a Super Eight stage, semifinals, and a final, totaling 53 matches. The opening match in Colombo features Pakistan against the Netherlands.

Bangladesh and India will meet today in the final of the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship at Pokhara Stadium in Nepal. The title-deciding match is scheduled to start at 3:45 pm Bangladesh time. Bangladesh defeated India 2–0 in the group stage and enters the final with strong confidence after winning all three of their earlier matches, including 12–0 against Bhutan and 4–0 against Nepal.

Bangladesh’s coach Peter Butler expressed optimism about the team’s readiness to face India again, saying they have a clear understanding of India’s playing style and are prepared to give their best. He emphasized maintaining a positive mindset and avoiding overconfidence, noting that the team conducted extensive video analysis before the final. Butler also mentioned that the poor condition of the Pokhara field limited their practice sessions, and other teams have raised similar complaints.

Bangladesh previously shared the championship title with India in the 2024 edition of the tournament. This time, the team aims to secure the trophy outright by defeating India in the final.