Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has confirmed that Pakistan will boycott its ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup match against India, describing the move as an act of solidarity with Bangladesh. Sharif told his cabinet that the decision followed careful deliberation and reflected Pakistan’s stance that politics should not interfere with sports. The match, scheduled for February 15, will not be played by Pakistan, effectively confirming earlier speculation about the government’s position.

The decision comes after Bangladesh was ousted from the tournament for refusing to travel to India for its fixtures, a situation that followed the expulsion of Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League on the directives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha said the team would seek government advice if it faces India in later knockout stages. The International Cricket Council (ICC) criticized the boycott, saying selective participation undermines the spirit of global competitions and could have long-term consequences for Pakistan’s cricket.

It remains unclear whether the Pakistan Cricket Board will face additional sanctions or bans beyond forfeiting two points. The T20 World Cup begins on Saturday.

Bangladesh’s Under-19 women’s football team expressed strong confidence ahead of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship final against India, scheduled to take place tomorrow in Pokhara, Nepal. Earlier in the group stage, Bangladesh defeated India 2–0, and team captain Arpita Biswas said the players are fully fit and mentally prepared for the decisive match.

Arpita noted that the team’s morale is high after their earlier victory over India, adding that the players are determined to bring the championship trophy home. She emphasized that everyone is in good physical condition and ready to give their best effort in the final. Bangladesh has previously won four titles across the U-18, U-19, and U-20 categories, while India has won once. In 2024, both teams shared the championship title.

This time, Bangladesh aims to secure the trophy outright, with Arpita affirming that the team will fight with full determination to achieve a solo championship victory.

The upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, once expected to be a global cricket celebration, has been clouded by political tensions in South Asia. Disputes among India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have disrupted the festive atmosphere before the tournament begins. India refused to play in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy, prompting Pakistan to decline matches in India. Bangladesh protested the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL and requested to move its World Cup matches to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns. The ICC, reportedly influenced by India, rejected the request and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.

Amid the turmoil, Pakistan announced it would not play India even at a neutral venue, intensifying the crisis. The political storm has cast uncertainty over the entire tournament, which had been fully prepared with venues, schedules, and broadcast plans. Cricket fans across the region now fear that politics may overshadow the sport’s spirit.

The article concludes that despite the tension, there remains hope that once the games begin, attention will return to cricket’s beauty and unity, rather than division.

The ICC Under-19 World Cup final between England and India will be broadcast live at 1:30 p.m. on Star Sports and Jio Hotstar, according to the schedule released on February 6, 2026. The day’s sports lineup also includes T20 World Cup warm-up matches featuring Italy versus the United Arab Emirates at 3:30 p.m. and India A versus Namibia at 5:30 p.m., both available on Rabbithole.

Football fans will have several live options as well. The English Premier League match between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest will air at 2:00 a.m. on Bet365. La Liga’s Celta Vigo versus Osasuna will also start at 2:00 a.m. on Fancode and Bet365. Additional European fixtures include Verona versus Pisa in Serie A at 1:45 a.m., Union Berlin versus Frankfurt in the Bundesliga at 1:30 a.m., and Metz versus Lille in Ligue 1 at 1:45 a.m.

The schedule highlights a packed day of international cricket and football broadcasts across multiple platforms, offering fans a wide range of live viewing choices.

Ticket sales for the T20 World Cup matches at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens have dropped sharply after Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament. The Bangladesh team was originally scheduled to play three group-stage matches at the iconic stadium, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board declined to play in India citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the competition.

According to Indian media reports, ticket counters at Eden Gardens have seen minimal crowds, with only a handful of fans lining up for purchases. The stadium, which can hold 65,000 spectators, has sold fewer than 21,000 tickets so far. Specific match sales remain low, including just 2,917 tickets for the West Indies–Scotland game and 348 for Scotland–Italy. Even the combined sales for the Super Eight and semifinal rounds have reached only about 9,000.

The absence of both Bangladesh and India in the group-stage fixtures at Eden Gardens is being cited as the main reason for the weak spectator turnout.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi has said that despite short-term losses, the recent stance taken by Bangladesh and Pakistan over the T20 World Cup could ultimately lead to a stronger and reformed International Cricket Council (ICC). Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament in India citing security concerns, after the ICC rejected its request to play in Sri Lanka. In response, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland. Pakistan, protesting what it called ICC’s double standards, decided to boycott its World Cup match against India.

Sethi told India Today that the current situation may cause temporary setbacks but could bring long-term benefits by reducing India’s dominance in the ICC. He argued that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) exerts disproportionate influence over the ICC, leading to unequal treatment of member nations. Sethi added that both Bangladesh and Pakistan now share a common view that it is time to stand up against such policies.

He also noted that discussions between the Pakistan government and the PCB are ongoing regarding the boycott decision, expressing hope that talks may yield a positive outcome before the scheduled match.

Pakistan has announced that it will consult its government before deciding whether to play India if the two teams meet in the knockout stage of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The statement came from Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, who told reporters in Colombo that the decision to boycott the group-stage match against India was made by the government, not the players. He added that any future decision regarding a semifinal or final against India would also depend on government advice.

The controversy follows the International Cricket Council’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament lineup, a move Pakistan has publicly protested as unfair. Pakistan’s government responded by boycotting the group-stage match against India. The Pakistan Cricket Board had earlier supported Bangladesh’s stance of not traveling to India and suggested hosting Bangladesh’s matches in Sri Lanka.

By forfeiting the group-stage match, Pakistan will lose two points, which could negatively affect its net run rate. Captain Salman acknowledged the challenge, saying the team aims to focus on playing good cricket despite limited room for error and unpredictable weather conditions.

Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has signed a direct contract with Lahore Qalandars, the reigning champions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), for 64.4 million Pakistani rupees. The franchise announced the deal on Thursday afternoon through social media, confirming that Mustafizur will be a key part of their foreign pace attack. The Qalandars described him as a returning member of their family, recalling his previous stints with the team in 2016 and 2018.

The move comes shortly after Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur following political and religious pressure in India. His participation in the PSL was confirmed on January 6, though the team was not disclosed at that time. Mustafizur previously played five matches for Lahore Qalandars in the 2018 season, taking four wickets with an economy rate of 6.43.

Lahore Qalandars, one of the most successful PSL teams with three titles, currently hold the championship. Last season, Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain took 13 wickets in seven matches for the same team.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has voiced concern over what he sees as inconsistency and double standards in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision-making. Speaking on a Sky Sports podcast, he said recent actions by the ICC and some powerful cricket boards suggest unequal treatment that could undermine fairness and balance in world cricket. Hussain acknowledged the ICC’s challenges when teams cancel tours at the last moment but questioned whether the same strictness applies to all nations equally.

He cited a hypothetical scenario where a strong cricketing nation, such as India, might withdraw from a tournament citing government restrictions, asking whether the ICC would respond with the same firmness. Hussain emphasized that rules should be applied consistently to all teams and called for transparency and fairness in cricket governance.

Referring to a recent controversy, he mentioned that the issue began when the BCCI removed Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL squad, citing the current situation between Bangladesh and India. Hussain warned that such board-level decisions are affecting on-field behavior and damaging cricket’s image, urging the ICC to adopt uniform policies for all nations.

Pakistan has decided to boycott its cricket match against India in protest of Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup. The decision was announced by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who told his cabinet that politics should not interfere with sports and that Pakistan should stand firmly beside Bangladesh. He described the move as a well-considered and appropriate decision.

In response, Dr. Asif Nazrul, the interim government’s adviser on law, justice, parliamentary affairs, and sports in Bangladesh, publicly thanked Pakistan for its stance. He expressed his appreciation through a verified Facebook post on Thursday, acknowledging Pakistan’s solidarity with Bangladesh following the controversial exclusion.

The development highlights a rare show of regional support in international cricket, with Pakistan aligning itself with Bangladesh’s position against perceived politicization in the sport.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the decision not to play against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup was taken after careful consideration. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, he stated that politics has no place in sports and that the move expresses Pakistan’s full solidarity with Bangladesh. The match, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, will not be played, though Pakistan will participate in the rest of the tournament.

The decision followed discussions between Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. It came after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland due to Bangladesh’s security concerns about playing in India. Pakistan had initially considered withdrawing from the tournament entirely but later opted to continue while boycotting the India match. The ICC has urged the PCB to seek a mutual resolution.

The boycott leaves Pakistan facing a tougher path in the group stage, where they must win their remaining three matches to stay in contention for the top two positions. The World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, runs from February 7 to March 8.

Pakistan has announced it will boycott its match against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup, despite participating in the tournament. The decision, taken to support Bangladesh’s withdrawal over security concerns, has triggered widespread debate. The ICC warned that such a unilateral move could have severe legal and contractual consequences, as the India-Pakistan fixture generates major revenue for the organization.

Legal experts cited the Members Participation Agreement (MPA), which obliges qualified teams to play all scheduled matches. By refusing to play, Pakistan could be accused of breaching the contract, exposing itself to financial penalties or harsher sanctions. Pakistan may invoke the ‘force majeure’ clause, arguing that a government directive prevents participation, but it remains unclear whether the PCB has followed the required formal process.

The controversy deepened due to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s dual role as both a government minister and board head, potentially weakening Pakistan’s legal defense. The ICC retains the power to suspend or revoke membership for serious violations, making this dispute a potential turning point for global cricket governance.

An independent investigation committee formed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has found partial truth in sexual harassment allegations brought by former Bangladesh women’s team captain Jahanara Alam against former selector and manager Manjurul Islam. The BCB announced the findings in a press release after receiving the committee’s report and recommendations.

According to the BCB statement, the committee found insufficient evidence for two of the four allegations made by Jahanara but confirmed preliminary proof of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior by Manjurul Islam. The inquiry was initiated after Jahanara publicly raised the allegations on a YouTube channel on November 7. The BCB formed the committee on February 9, led by former Supreme Court Justice Tariq ul Hakim, with four other members including legal and sports officials.

The committee formally submitted its report to BCB President Aminul Islam on February 2. The BCB has not yet disclosed any further action based on the committee’s recommendations.

Bangladesh faces uncertainty over midfielder Dewan Hamza Chowdhury’s participation in the Asian Cup qualifying match against Singapore on March 31. The Leicester City player, who represents Bangladesh internationally, suffered a knee injury during an English Championship match against Charlton Athletic last Saturday and had to leave the field on crutches. The injury has raised concerns among Bangladeshi supporters about his availability for the crucial fixture.

Leicester City coach Andy King confirmed that Hamza sustained a serious knee injury and may need six to eight weeks of rehabilitation. He noted that Hamza was seen wearing a knee brace after the match, suggesting a slow recovery. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is maintaining regular contact with Hamza. National team manager Amer Khan said they are closely monitoring his condition but cannot yet confirm whether he will be fit to play.

Hamza has been a key figure for Bangladesh since joining the national team in March last year, leading them to notable success, including a victory over India in November.

Barcelona advanced to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey after defeating second-division side Albacete 2-1 in the quarterfinals. The match, held in Albacete, saw goals from Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo secure victory for the Spanish giants. Yamal opened the scoring in the 39th minute following a sequence involving Marcus Rashford and Frenkie de Jong, while Araujo doubled the lead in the 56th minute with a header from a Rashford corner. Albacete managed a consolation goal through Moreno late in the game.

Albacete had previously made headlines by eliminating Real Madrid from the tournament, creating one of the biggest surprises of the competition. However, they could not repeat that feat against Barcelona, who maintained control for most of the match. Despite a disallowed goal for offside in the 83rd minute, Albacete’s late effort was not enough to overturn the deficit.

With this win, Barcelona move into the last four and now set their sights on reaching the Copa del Rey final.