Pakistan has announced it will not play its scheduled group-stage match against India on February 15 during the 2026 T20 World Cup. The decision, described as a message of solidarity with Bangladesh, follows controversy over the International Cricket Council’s refusal to relocate Bangladesh’s matches and its decision to replace them with Scotland. The move is seen as a protest against what the article calls political influence and unfair treatment in international cricket.

The article argues that politics and regional power dynamics have overshadowed the spirit of the game, with Bangladesh portrayed as a victim of injustice. It criticizes the ICC and India’s cricket establishment for ignoring Bangladesh’s security concerns and for prioritizing political dominance over sportsmanship. The author notes that Pakistan’s boycott comes at a significant financial and sporting cost, as India–Pakistan matches are among the most watched and profitable in world cricket.

The analysis concludes that Pakistan’s stance highlights growing tensions in global cricket governance and calls for Bangladesh to pursue diplomatic efforts with other boards to restore fairness and balance in the sport.

Indian Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor has criticized the decision to exclude Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), calling it disrespectful and politically motivated. He said India bears partial responsibility for the ongoing unrest surrounding the T20 World Cup and warned against mixing politics with sports.

Tharoor described the exclusion as unfortunate and said its impact is being felt across world cricket. Mustafizur had been bought at a high price by Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later removed him, triggering the crisis. In response, Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the World Cup citing security concerns and demanded a venue change. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the request, replacing Bangladesh with Scotland, prompting Pakistan to boycott its match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh.

Tharoor urged the ICC to treat the situation as a warning and create a platform for urgent dialogue, emphasizing that cricket should unite people rather than divide them.

Pakistan’s decision not to play against India in the upcoming World Cup has caused a major financial setback for the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to NDTV, the India–Pakistan T20 match alone is valued at around 500 million US dollars, or more than 6,000 crore Bangladeshi taka, making it the single most lucrative fixture in world cricket. The ICC reportedly earns several times more from this match than from all other tournament games combined, and its cancellation has already prompted broadcaster Star to seek financial concessions.

The report notes that advertising rates for the India–Pakistan match reach 25–40 lakh taka per 10 seconds, with total ad revenue estimated at 300 crore taka. Without the match, both cricket boards could each lose about 200 crore taka in direct and indirect revenue. The ICC’s central revenue pool is expected to shrink, reducing distributions to member boards, especially smaller and associate nations dependent on ICC funding.

NDTV warns that future global tournaments could face reduced broadcast valuations and sponsorship interest if such high-profile fixtures are deemed risky assets, potentially weakening cricket’s overall financial ecosystem.

The Bangladesh women's cricket team returned home on Sunday evening after a dominant performance in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup qualifiers held in Nepal. The team finished the tournament as the only unbeaten side, securing top position and qualifying for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in England.

Bangladesh won all seven of their matches in the qualifying round, displaying consistent and confident performances throughout the competition. Upon arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the players were welcomed by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director and Women's Wing chairperson Rubaba Dowla.

According to BCB sources, this achievement is being regarded as another significant milestone in the progress of women's cricket in Bangladesh.

Reports in Indian and Pakistani media suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) would hold an emergency board meeting to address Pakistan’s potential boycott of its World Cup match against India. However, cricket websites Cricinfo and Cricbuzz confirmed that the meeting did not take place. As a result, it remains unclear whether the ICC will take any action if Pakistan proceeds with the boycott. Earlier, the ICC had expressed dissatisfaction with Pakistan’s stance in an official statement.

According to the ICC, it has not yet received any formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding a boycott decision. The council emphasized that such a move would contradict the fundamental spirit of a global sporting event, which is based on fairness, integrity, and equal competition. The ICC urged the PCB to consider the long-term impact of its decision on domestic cricket and the broader cricket ecosystem.

The ICC reiterated that its current priority is to ensure the successful completion of the World Cup and called on all member nations, including Pakistan, to work toward a mutually acceptable solution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.

Bangladeshi shooter Robiul Islam has departed for India to compete in the Asian Shooting Championship, scheduled from February 2 to 14 in New Delhi. He is accompanied by his coach Sharmin Akter. Robiul will participate in the 10-meter air rifle event on February 6, marking his first international competition since the Olympics.

There had been uncertainty over their participation due to earlier government restrictions on sending the national cricket team to India for the T20 World Cup, citing security concerns. However, the government later granted permission for Robiul to compete, considering the individual nature of the shooting event and India’s security arrangements to be safe.

Robiul, aged 27, previously won a medal in the 10-meter air rifle event at the 13th South Asian Games held in Nepal in 2019. His participation in New Delhi represents Bangladesh’s continued presence in regional shooting competitions.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has initiated work on a new central contract for the new year, introducing several changes approved in its latest board meeting. The number of contracted players will increase from 21 to 27, and the board will continue to issue format-based contracts. The BCB’s selection panel has finalized the list, which now awaits approval from the cricket operations department before official publication in the coming days.

Unlike previous years, the BCB will not include an ‘A Plus’ category this time, as there are no players regularly active across all three formats. The contract will begin with the ‘A’ category, featuring the three format captains along with experienced players Mushfiqur Rahim and Taskin Ahmed. Regular white-ball players such as Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Tamim, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Sakib will also be placed in this group.

Other players will be distributed across ‘B’, ‘C’, and ‘D’ categories based on their performance and format involvement. The finalized list includes 27 cricketers, marking an expansion in the BCB’s central contract structure for 2026.

Brazil won the Copa America Futsal championship by defeating defending champions Argentina 2–1 in a thrilling final held early Monday, February 2, at the Oscar Harrison Stadium of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee in Luque, Paraguay. The victory marked Brazil’s 12th title in the tournament’s history, further strengthening its position as the most successful team in Copa America Futsal.

Brazil started the match aggressively, taking the lead midway through the first half when João Victor, who plays for Russian club Krasnodar, scored after beating two Argentine defenders. Argentina struggled under pressure and committed several fouls, while Brazilian goalkeeper Matheus made key saves to deny multiple chances from Matías Rosa and Kevin Arrieta. Argentina equalized two minutes before full time through Rosa’s goal, but Barcelona player Diego Henrique restored Brazil’s lead within a minute, sealing the 2–1 victory.

With this win, Brazil extended its dominance in the competition, while Argentina remains with three titles. Peru secured third place in the 15th edition of the tournament.

An independent investigation committee has submitted its report to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding the sexual harassment allegation made by former Bangladesh women’s cricket team captain Jahanara Alam. The report was formally handed over to the BCB president Md. Aminul Islam on Monday, marking the official conclusion of the investigation process. The committee had completed its inquiry on January 31.

The committee was chaired by Justice Tariq-ul Hakim and included members Barrister Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla, and BCB director Rubaba Dowla. Another member, Professor Dr. Naima Haque, could not attend the submission event as she was abroad. The report was presented in the presence of other board members.

According to BCB sources, the board will review the recommendations and observations in the report before deciding on further action. The case has drawn significant attention within the women’s cricket community, making the report’s findings particularly important.

England defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the rain-affected second T20 match in Pallekele, securing an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series. The victory also marked England’s tenth consecutive T20 win over Sri Lanka since May 2014. Batting first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka posted 189 for five, with contributions from Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, and Pawan Rathnayake. Rain interrupted England’s chase, and the target was revised to 168 runs from 17 overs under the DLS method.

England reached the target with two balls to spare, led by Tom Banton’s unbeaten 54 off 33 balls and Harry Brook’s quickfire 36 off 12. Earlier, England lost two wickets before the rain delay but regained control after play resumed. The match result ensured England’s series win ahead of the final game, scheduled to be played at the same venue the following day.

The result extended Sri Lanka’s winless run against England in T20 internationals, highlighting the visitors’ dominance in the format over the past decade.

Pakistan has decided to boycott its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India, sparking widespread debate. Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf publicly supported the decision, calling it necessary despite being difficult. In a post on X, Yousuf said the government’s stance prioritizes values over commercial interests and urged an end to what he described as opportunistic influences in world cricket.

Yousuf emphasized that cricket should be guided by fairness and equality rather than selective advantages. He used hashtags referencing the ICC, BCCI, BCB, and global cricket fairness. Previously, Yousuf had also supported Bangladesh’s decision to boycott matches in India over security concerns, criticizing the ICC for ignoring legitimate safety issues and questioning its governance consistency.

Pakistan will begin its World Cup campaign on February 7 against the Netherlands, followed by matches against the United States on February 10. The now-boycotted India match had been scheduled for February 15 at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.

Pakistan has announced that it will not play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India. Despite the boycott, India must still travel to Sri Lanka under ICC regulations. The match is set for February 15 at the Premadasa Stadium, and India is required to attend pre-match events, continue training, and report to the venue on match day even if the game does not take place.

According to ICC rules, if Pakistan fails to field a team, the match referee will make the final decision. In that case, India would receive two points, but only if it complies with all match-day obligations. If India also fails to appear, both teams would receive one point each. Pakistan’s decision could negatively affect its net run rate, while India’s would remain unchanged.

Neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India nor the ICC has issued any official comment on the situation. The report suggests that a tough decision may be forthcoming for Pakistan.

Bangladesh maintained their winning form in the ongoing SAFF Under-19 Women's Championship in Nepal by defeating India 2-0 in their second match on February 2, 2026. Arpita Biswas and Alpi Akter scored one goal each in the first half, securing victory for Bangladesh at Pokhara Stadium. With this win, Bangladesh now lead the points table with six points from two consecutive victories, while India remain second with three points. Bangladesh will face Nepal next on February 4.

Earlier, Bangladesh had opened the tournament with a dominant 12-0 win over Bhutan. The competition is being played in a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final scheduled for February. Despite ongoing tensions between Bangladesh and India in cricket, the two nations’ youth women’s football teams met in a sporting spirit, exchanging handshakes before kickoff.

Bangladesh’s consistent performance has strengthened their position as a strong contender for the final, with their attacking play proving decisive in both matches.

Pakistan’s government announced on February 1 that the national team will participate in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but will boycott its scheduled match against India. The decision was made in protest of an ICC ruling related to Bangladesh. Following the announcement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) responded with a statement urging Pakistan to reconsider its stance and to uphold the spirit of global competition.

The ICC noted that it respects national policies but emphasized that a boycott contradicts the fundamental purpose of a global sporting event, where all qualified teams are expected to compete under equal conditions. It warned that Pakistan’s decision could harm the integrity and fairness of the tournament and negatively affect fans worldwide. The ICC also stated it is awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the matter.

Expressing optimism for resolution, the ICC said its priority is to ensure the World Cup’s successful completion and encouraged the PCB to find a mutually acceptable solution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.

Barcelona defeated Elche 3-1 in a La Liga match on Saturday night, extending their lead over Real Madrid to three points. Goals from Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and substitute Marcus Rashford sealed the victory for coach Hansi Flick’s side. With 18 wins and one draw from 22 matches, Barcelona remain top of the table with 55 points, while Real Madrid sit second with 51 points from one game fewer.

In the English Premier League, Liverpool returned to winning form by beating Newcastle United 4-1 at Anfield. Hugo Ekitike scored twice, while Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate added one goal each. The win marked Liverpool’s first league victory of the new year after a run of four draws and one defeat in their previous five matches. Chelsea also edged West Ham 3-2 in another league fixture.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich were held to a 2-2 draw by Hamburg in the Bundesliga. Despite goals from Harry Kane and Luis Diaz, Bayern conceded late and dropped points for the second consecutive match, leaving their title defense under pressure.