Pakistan defeated Australia by 22 runs in the opening match of their three-match T20 series, taking a 1–0 lead. Batting first, Pakistan scored 168 for eight in 20 overs, with Saim Ayub contributing 40 runs off 22 balls and Salman Agha adding 39. Adam Zampa was the pick of the Australian bowlers with four wickets for 24 runs. In reply, Australia managed 146 for eight, falling short despite a late effort from Xavier Bartlett, who remained unbeaten on 34. The second match of the series is scheduled for Saturday in Lahore.

Australia’s chase faltered early, losing Matthew Short for 5 and Travis Head for 23. Cameron Green top-scored with 36 before being dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz, leaving Australia struggling at six wickets down before reaching 100. Pakistan’s bowlers, including Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub, maintained control to secure the victory.

Saim Ayub was named player of the match for his all-round performance, helping Pakistan move ahead in the series before the next encounter in Lahore.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir has declared that the country’s armed forces are fully prepared to safeguard national sovereignty and regional integrity against all forms of threats. He made the statement on Wednesday during a visit to the Bahawalpur Garrison, according to a release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) cited by Geo News.

During the inspection, Munir praised the officers and soldiers for their high morale, professional competence, and operational readiness. He emphasized the importance of maintaining maximum preparedness to meet future battlefield and security challenges.

Munir noted that the Pakistan Armed Forces are undergoing significant transformation across various sectors. He said that the nature of warfare is rapidly evolving due to technological advancements and that future conflicts will depend heavily on technological strategies. To address this, Pakistan’s military is swiftly adopting modern technologies.

The United States has urged its citizens to reconsider travel plans to Pakistan due to heightened security concerns. On January 26, the US Department of State updated its travel advisory, placing Pakistan under Level 3, or “Reconsider Travel,” citing risks of crime, violence, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. The advisory was reported by Pakistani daily Dawn.

According to the statement, terrorist attacks in Pakistan may occur without warning, with potential targets including transport hubs, hotels, markets, shopping malls, military and security installations, airports, trains, educational institutions, hospitals, places of worship, tourist areas, and government buildings. Certain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have been classified as Level 4, or “Do Not Travel,” due to frequent incidents of targeted killings and kidnappings affecting both officials and civilians.

The advisory also warned that participating in unauthorized demonstrations in Pakistan is a punishable offense, noting that some US citizens have previously been detained for such activities. The Level 3 alert indicates serious security risks, while Level 4 represents the highest level of caution, advising against all travel.

Pakistan’s legendary spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has said that politics should not be mixed with sports, describing it as harmful not only to cricket but also to humanity. Speaking to India’s news agency NNI after Bangladesh’s elimination from the T20 World Cup, Mushtaq criticized the involvement of politics in cricket and emphasized that the game should unite nations rather than divide them.

In the interview, Mushtaq stated that politics should be eradicated because it acts as an enemy to humanity and damages both sports and players. He reiterated that cricket is meant to be a source of entertainment, not a battlefield or a tool of conflict. The former Pakistan cricketer declined to comment on Bangladesh’s decision not to play in India, saying he does not believe in politics.

Mushtaq’s remarks underline his long-held view that cricket should remain a unifying and entertaining sport, free from political interference and national disputes.

Pakistan is reportedly considering boycotting the upcoming T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh, which has already withdrawn from the tournament. The discussion has sparked widespread debate about the potential impact on the event. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali warned that if Pakistan pulls out, international broadcasters could face severe financial losses, as India-Pakistan matches represent one of the largest markets for viewership and advertising revenue.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the final decision on participation will be made by the government, increasing uncertainty around the tournament. Basit Ali praised Naqvi’s recent press conference, saying it placed the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a difficult position. According to various sources cited in the report, the ICC has issued a strong warning to Pakistan against boycotting, suggesting that such a move could lead to unprecedented sanctions affecting the PCB’s finances and international standing.

If Pakistan proceeds with a boycott, the report suggests the entire tournament could face disruption and long-term repercussions for global cricket governance and broadcasting interests.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering three possible actions to show support for Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that while Pakistan had earlier indicated a possible withdrawal from the tournament, no final decision has been made. The board expects to reach a conclusion by Friday or Monday.

According to a Sama TV report cited in the source, Naqvi discussed the issue with board officials and former cricketers during a Pakistan Super League workshop, where he strongly supported Bangladesh. He reportedly stated that Bangladesh had been disrespected and should not be left isolated, reflecting the PCB’s stance.

The three options under review include wearing black armbands during matches to express solidarity with Bangladeshi fans, boycotting the February 15 India–Pakistan match citing Indian behavior, and dedicating Pakistan’s World Cup victories to Bangladesh’s cricket supporters.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that three suspected militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Panjgur district of Balochistan on Sunday, January 25. The ISPR stated that the operation targeted members of the group ‘Fitna al Hindustan,’ described as an Indian proxy organization. During the exchange of fire, local commander Farooq alias Soro, along with Adil and Wasim, were killed, and weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site.

According to the ISPR statement, security forces have continued sanitization operations in the area to identify and arrest other suspects. The agency reaffirmed that under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” strategy, operations against foreign-backed terrorism will persist across the country. Geo News noted that since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, terrorist activities have increased in Pakistan’s border regions, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Earlier, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that in 2025, law enforcement agencies conducted 75,175 intelligence-based operations nationwide, resulting in the deaths of 2,597 militants.

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 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.

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.

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.

At least eight people were killed and two others injured in a road accident near Hyderabad, Pakistan, according to Geo News. Rescue teams reached the site and transferred the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment. The incident occurred on Saturday, and police confirmed that among the dead were five children and one woman, whose identities have not yet been released.

The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Jamshoro stated that the truck driver involved in the crash has been detained and is being questioned. A case has been filed, and police have launched an investigation into the incident. Road accidents are frequent in Pakistan, often attributed to poor road conditions, inadequate vehicle maintenance, and driver negligence.

In a separate accident on Thursday near Mellowal village in Valwal, a truck carrying animal feed overturned, killing at least four people and injuring eight others. Rescue 1122 reported that the truck lost balance and overturned, trapping several workers underneath. The exact cause of that accident remains unknown.

Pakistani security and geopolitical analyst Ikram Sehgal has said that Bangladesh now holds a strategically vital position in South Asia and that India is in a more vulnerable security situation. Speaking in Islamabad at a meeting with a visiting Bangladeshi media delegation, he asserted that if Bangladesh strengthens its military capacity, India would think twice before taking any aggressive stance. Sehgal emphasized that Pakistan is ready to provide comprehensive assistance to Bangladesh, including military cooperation and training exchanges.

He proposed that future Dhaka-Islamabad relations could be built on the concept of “two countries, one nation,” though he acknowledged this would be challenging. Sehgal also highlighted the need to remove visa barriers, promote duty-free trade, and resolve pending bilateral issues. He expressed support for Bangladesh’s upcoming election and urged a return to democratic processes. Additionally, he criticized India’s role in obstructing SAARC’s effectiveness and called for renewed regional cooperation.

Separately, Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) offered technical assistance to Bangladesh to enhance and secure its national database systems, citing concerns over data breaches and the importance of protecting sensitive information.

At least five people were killed and ten others injured in a suicide explosion at a wedding ceremony in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, on Friday night. Police said the blast occurred at the residence of a peace committee leader in the Qureshi Mor area. District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada confirmed the explosion took place during the wedding of Noor Alam Mehsud’s family, when guests were dancing to drum beats. The intensity of the blast caused the roof to collapse, complicating rescue operations.

According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi, five bodies and ten injured persons were recovered and taken to the district headquarters hospital, where an emergency was declared. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. Preliminary information indicated that peace committee leader Wahidullah Mehsud, also known as Jigri Mehsud, was among the dead.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohel Afridi condemned the attack, ordered an immediate report from the provincial police chief, and directed that the perpetrators be swiftly identified and brought to justice. He also pledged full support for the families of the victims.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif has called on Pakistan to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh. The appeal follows Bangladesh’s decision not to send its team to India over security concerns. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed that Bangladesh wants to play in Sri Lanka, a co-host of the tournament, rather than in India. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s request, prompting criticism from Latif.

Latif argued that Pakistan should stand with Bangladesh and challenge what he described as the current cricket system’s unfairness. He said this was an opportunity for Pakistan to take a firm stance and demonstrate unity. Latif also questioned the ICC’s assurance that there would be no security risks for Bangladeshi players in India, calling such guarantees unrealistic.

The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7, with India and Sri Lanka as co-hosts. Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India and Latif’s call for Pakistan’s boycott have added new tension to the tournament’s preparations.