The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup, reportedly under the influence of India. The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) has expressed concern over the move, calling it a threat to unity in world cricket. WCA chief executive Tom Moffat said the exclusion of Bangladesh, a full ICC member and a major cricketing nation, signals internal problems within the governing body. He urged the ICC to act impartially and work with all stakeholders to prevent division in the sport.

The decision follows Bangladesh’s request to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns after Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL by Kolkata Knight Riders on Indian board instructions. Despite weeks of discussions, the ICC upheld its decision, prompting widespread criticism. Pakistan’s former cricketer Rashid Latif warned that Pakistan might withdraw in protest, arguing that such exclusions would damage the World Cup’s credibility. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi also accused the ICC of double standards compared to India’s past refusal to play in Pakistan.

Observers now await whether the ICC will respond to Moffat’s call for unity or remain under India’s dominance.

The English Premier League title race intensified as Manchester United shocked league leaders Arsenal with a 3–2 home victory. Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest also secured wins in their respective matches. Villa defeated Newcastle United 2–0, Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 3–1, and Nottingham overcame Brentford 2–0. The results reshaped the standings, with Manchester United moving to fourth place on 38 points, Chelsea rising to fifth with 37, and Aston Villa matching Manchester City’s points but remaining third on goal difference.

In Spain’s La Liga, Barcelona regained the top spot after a commanding 3–0 win over bottom-ranked Real Oviedo. Goals from Olmo, Raphinha, and Yamal sealed the victory for the Catalan side. With this result, Barcelona now lead the table with 52 points from 21 matches, one point ahead of Real Madrid, while Real Oviedo remain last with 13 points.

The weekend’s outcomes tightened both the Premier League and La Liga title races, setting up an intense second half of the season.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has excluded Bangladesh from the upcoming T20 World Cup, granting Scotland the opportunity to participate instead. The decision, which prevents Bangladesh from playing in Sri Lanka, has drawn strong criticism from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi described the exclusion as unjust and an example of the ICC’s double standards.

Following the announcement, Pakistan is reportedly considering whether to withdraw from the World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh. Naqvi held a meeting with Pakistan’s players and team management on Sunday, where they expressed support for the board’s stance and agreed to abide by whatever decision the PCB ultimately makes. According to a source, Naqvi is expected to discuss the matter with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday before a final decision is made.

The outcome of this discussion will determine whether Pakistan boycotts the World Cup or proceeds to participate despite its protest against the ICC’s decision.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed it will not challenge the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision regarding Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the upcoming World Cup in India. The BCB had requested that Bangladesh’s matches be moved to Sri Lanka, but the ICC rejected the proposal and instructed that the games be played in India. Following this, Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament and has now decided not to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

After an eight-hour meeting, BCB Media Committee Chairman Amjad Hossain stated that the board accepted the ICC’s ruling and would not pursue arbitration. He explained that the decision not to play in India came from the Bangladesh government, which had directed that the team could not participate unless the fixture schedule was changed. The BCB formally informed the ICC that it would not be possible for the team to play in India under the current arrangements.

The BCB’s decision effectively ends any legal or administrative dispute over Bangladesh’s withdrawal, leaving the team out of the World Cup as scheduled.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, naming Salman Agha as captain. Former skipper Babar Azam has been included, while Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf have been left out. The announcement was made in Lahore by selector Aaqib Javed, alongside captain Salman and coach Mike Hesson. Several players, including Salman Mirza, Khaja Nafi, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Tariq, have been called up for their first World Cup appearance.

The team announcement comes amid speculation that Pakistan might boycott the tournament in support of Bangladesh. The International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly excluded Bangladesh from the World Cup after the Bangladesh government refused to play in India, citing security concerns. Bangladesh had requested to play in Sri Lanka, but the ICC denied the request and replaced them with Scotland. PCB has criticized the ICC’s decision, fueling discussions about a possible boycott.

Pakistan is scheduled to play its opening match against the Netherlands on February 7, with India, Namibia, and the United States also in Group A.

European football fans witnessed a night of mixed fortunes across three major leagues on January 25, 2026. Real Madrid climbed to the top of La Liga after defeating Villarreal 2–0, thanks to two second-half goals from Kylian Mbappé. The French forward scored in the 47th minute and added another from a penalty in stoppage time, bringing his tally to 21 goals in 20 league matches. With 51 points from 21 games, Real overtook Barcelona, who have 49 points from one game fewer.

In the Premier League, Liverpool fell 3–2 to Bournemouth due to defensive lapses. Virgil van Dijk’s error allowed Ivanilson to open the scoring, followed by Alex Jimenez doubling the lead. Although Van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai equalized, Amin Adli’s stoppage-time goal sealed Bournemouth’s victory.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich suffered their first Bundesliga defeat of the season, losing 2–1 to Augsburg at home. Augsburg scored twice in the final six minutes, ending Bayern’s 27-match unbeaten league run. Despite the loss, Bayern remain top with 50 points from 19 matches, while Augsburg climbed to 13th with 19 points.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Bangladesh women's football team for winning the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship in Bangkok. The team defeated the Maldives by 14 goals to claim the title, marking Bangladesh’s biggest victory against the Maldives in the competition. Fakhrul expressed pride in the team’s achievement, saying it brought honor to the nation on the global stage.

In his congratulatory message issued on Sunday, Fakhrul praised the players’ strong morale and sporting skills, noting that the victory demonstrated their growing confidence and excellence. He also conveyed best wishes to the team’s coaches, officials, and all those involved in the success.

Fakhrul expressed optimism that the women’s team would continue to bring further glory to Bangladesh in the near future through their dedication and performance.

World-renowned climber Alex Honnold has completed the largest urban free-solo climb in history. On Saturday, January 24, during a live special broadcast on Netflix, he scaled the exterior of Taipei 101, a 508-meter (1,667-foot) skyscraper, without ropes or safety equipment, finishing the ascent in less than 90 minutes.

The climb began at 9:17 a.m. local time in Taiwan and marked the first-ever free-solo ascent of a skyscraper. In a previously aired interview, Honnold said Taipei 101 had fascinated him for years and that he had dreamed of climbing it for about 12 years. The challenge unfolded in three stages: first, a 113-meter sloped steel-and-glass section; second, eight “bamboo box” structures with overhangs; and finally, the spire, which posed the toughest physical test.

Honnold’s heart rate reportedly reached about 165 beats per minute halfway through. He ended the climb by taking a selfie at the summit. The successful, accident-free feat drew widespread global praise.

Rana Sanaullah, political adviser to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has called on Pakistan to stand by Bangladesh after Dhaka withdrew from the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India citing security concerns. Speaking on Geo News, Sanaullah said supporting Bangladesh would benefit Pakistan in the long term, even if it meant financial losses for Pakistan cricket.

He emphasized that Pakistan’s solidarity should be directed toward the Bangladeshi state rather than any political party or government. Sanaullah added that such support could help bridge the gap created between the two nations since 1971 and foster a new phase of brotherly relations. He described the potential impact of Pakistan’s stance as far-reaching.

Following Bangladesh’s withdrawal, the ICC replaced the team with Scotland. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that Pakistan’s participation decision would follow government instructions, with a final announcement expected after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s return to the country.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board declined to participate due to security concerns in India. The decision, revealed in an ICC statement on Saturday, has sparked widespread debate and criticism over alleged favoritism toward India. Bangladesh’s withdrawal led to a reshuffle in Group C, with Scotland now set to face West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal when the tournament begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi and former Australian player Jason Gillespie publicly criticized the ICC’s handling of the issue. Afridi expressed disappointment on social media, accusing the ICC of inconsistency for accepting India’s security concerns in Pakistan in 2025 but rejecting Bangladesh’s similar request. He urged the ICC to ensure fairness and equal treatment for all member nations. Gillespie questioned the transparency of the decision, recalling that India had previously been allowed to play the Champions Trophy in Dubai instead of Pakistan.

The controversy has raised questions about the ICC’s impartiality and its approach to member nations’ security concerns ahead of the upcoming global tournament.

Arsenal, currently leading the English Premier League table, will face Manchester United tonight in a high-voltage encounter. After drawing their last two matches, Mikel Arteta’s side aim to return to winning ways. The match, scheduled for 10:30 p.m. Bangladesh time, also marks a major test for United’s interim coach Michael Carrick, whose team sits fifth in the standings.

Arsenal’s inconsistency has often hindered their title ambitions, and this season has shown similar patterns. Following a series of victories, they were held to goalless draws by Liverpool at home and Nottingham Forest away. For Carrick, the challenge is steep—United have lost five of their last six meetings with Arsenal and all four of their most recent league games at the Emirates. However, United fans recall last season’s FA Cup third-round win on penalties at Arsenal despite being reduced to ten men.

The match will determine whether Arsenal can consolidate their top position or if Manchester United can signal a resurgence under new leadership.

A column by M. M. Kaiser, published on January 25, 2026, strongly criticizes former cricket organizer Syed Ashraful Haque for remarks he made in an interview with an India-based cricket website regarding Bangladesh’s stance on the T20 World Cup venue. Haque suggested that players, not the government or cricket board, should decide whether to participate based on ICC’s security plan, and alleged that a questionable agenda was depriving players of their World Cup dreams. Kaiser described these comments as offensive and disconnected from current realities.

The article defends Bangladesh’s call to shift the World Cup venue from India to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns following incidents of violence against people suspected of being Bangladeshi in India. It argues that the ICC and BCCI have failed to guarantee player safety, referencing Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from an IPL squad over security fears. The writer contends that Bangladesh’s position is morally justified and criticizes the ICC’s neutrality and India’s influence.

Kaiser concludes that Bangladesh’s demand is about dignity and safety, not politics, asserting that the nation seeks to live and compete with self-respect rather than submission.

Bangladesh has withdrawn from the upcoming T20 World Cup in India citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) rejected the ICC’s ultimatum to participate. In response, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi strongly criticized the ICC’s decision, calling it unjust and accusing the organization of maintaining double standards.

Speaking in Lahore, Naqvi said that Bangladesh was being treated unfairly and questioned why a special ‘hybrid model’ arrangement could exist for India and Pakistan but not for Bangladesh. The controversy began when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from their squad following threats from extremist groups. This incident heightened BCB’s security concerns, leading to Bangladesh’s refusal to send its team to India.

Following the withdrawal, Bangladesh’s Information Ministry also ordered a suspension of Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcasts in the country, further escalating the cricketing tensions between the two nations.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of favoring India following Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh decided not to participate in the tournament, citing concerns over India’s security arrangements. Despite being given time by the ICC to reconsider, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stood firm, leading to Scotland replacing Bangladesh in the competition.

In an interview with Pakistan’s Geo Super, Sethi praised Bangladesh’s decision, calling it a strong and justified stance given the tension and threats involved. He alleged that the ICC ignored these concerns due to its bias toward India and claimed that the decision aligned with India’s preferences. Sethi also urged other cricketing nations to resist what he described as India’s dominance within the ICC.

Sethi further called on current PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to consider boycotting the World Cup as well, saying he would support such a move if Pakistan followed Bangladesh’s example.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. According to a Cricbuzz report, the decision followed Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India due to security concerns. Despite repeated pressure and an ultimatum from the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, maintained its stance and did not respond within the deadline, prompting the ICC to include Scotland instead.

Bangladesh had earlier requested that all its matches be held in co-host Sri Lanka, but the ICC did not approve the proposal. England and West Indies, who were in the same group, also declined to travel to Sri Lanka, and a proposed group swap with Ireland failed after Ireland rejected the ICC’s offer. Reports suggest the Indian cricket board influenced Ireland’s decision with financial incentives and bilateral series promises. Pakistan’s cricket board supported Bangladesh’s position and urged the ICC to relocate matches to Sri Lanka or Pakistan, but the appeal was ignored.

Scotland will now join Group C and play matches in Kolkata and Mumbai against West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal.