Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul made an unannounced visit to Pakistan on Sunday amid ongoing tensions surrounding the T20 World Cup. In Lahore, he met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and later joined a meeting with the International Cricket Council (ICC). After concluding discussions the same night, Aminul departed from Lahore, where Naqvi personally saw him off at the airport.

The visit followed Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup on January 24 after refusing to play in India, with Scotland replacing them in the tournament. On February 1, Pakistan announced a boycott of its World Cup match against India, prompting ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja to travel to Lahore for talks with the PCB. Sources indicate that Pakistan has now set three conditions for reversing its boycott decision, agreeing to face India only if those demands are met.

The meetings in Lahore reflect ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes that have disrupted preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has said that India has now become a threat to global peace. He made the remarks on Sunday in a statement delivered in Islamabad, expressing gratitude to the international community for showing solidarity after a recent terrorist attack in Pakistan.

Zardari noted that messages of sympathy and support from world leaders, governments, and international organizations have given courage and strength to the people of Pakistan and families affected by terrorism. He emphasized that these gestures demonstrate that the fight against terrorism and its violent ideologies is a global struggle. Reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing position, he said no single country can combat terrorism alone.

The president alleged that some neighboring countries are involved in terrorist activities, providing direct financial and technical support to groups operating against Pakistan. He warned that history shows when terrorist groups are given shelter or impunity beyond national borders, innocent civilians around the world ultimately suffer the consequences.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has accused several neighboring countries of carrying out terrorism against Pakistan. In a statement issued on Sunday, he alleged that some of these countries are directly financing and providing technical support to groups operating against Pakistan. Zardari emphasized that terrorism cannot be fought single-handedly and expressed gratitude to world leaders who showed solidarity after a recent terrorist attack in Islamabad that killed at least 33 people.

He stated that history shows when terrorist groups are given shelter, support, or impunity beyond national borders, innocent civilians around the world ultimately suffer the consequences. Zardari further claimed that some neighboring countries have become complicit by allowing such groups to operate against Pakistan, while others are providing them with financial, technical, and military assistance.

The Pakistani president also sharply criticized the Afghan Taliban administration, accusing Kabul of allowing terrorist groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan targeting security personnel and civilians.

The ongoing tension among Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the upcoming T20 World Cup has taken a new turn. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had earlier decided to boycott its match against India in protest of Bangladesh’s exclusion, has now placed three conditions to withdraw that decision. According to reports, Pakistan will play India only if the ICC accepts these demands.

Bangladesh was excluded from the India-hosted T20 World Cup after refusing to participate due to security concerns. Despite Bangladesh’s request to change the venue, the ICC did not agree, prompting Pakistan to stand by Bangladesh and announce a boycott of its match against India. This move strained Pakistan’s relationship with the ICC. However, signs of resolution emerged after a meeting in Lahore, where PCB demanded additional compensation for Bangladesh, full participation fees despite its absence, and hosting rights for a future ICC event.

Although the ICC hinted at possible disciplinary action, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains firm. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before making a final decision, as the cricket world watches how the ICC responds to Pakistan’s conditions.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is holding discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address Pakistan’s boycott of its T20 World Cup 2026 fixture against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The match, one of the most commercially valuable in world cricket, was thrown into uncertainty after Pakistan’s government instructed its team not to play. According to a source cited by AFP, the ICC has opted for dialogue rather than confrontation to find a resolution.

The 20-team tournament has already been marred by political tensions. Bangladesh withdrew from playing in India over security concerns and was replaced by Scotland, prompting Pakistan to refuse to face co-hosts India in protest. Pakistan, which defeated the Netherlands in the tournament opener, risks losing two points and damaging its net run rate if it forfeits the match. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed his team’s readiness to travel to Colombo for the fixture.

The ICC’s mediation aims to preserve one of cricket’s most anticipated contests, as India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series for more than a decade.

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.

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.

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.

A suicide bombing at the Khadija Tul Kubra mosque in Islamabad’s Tarlai Kalan area killed at least 31 people and wounded dozens more during Friday prayers. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said security guards attempted to stop the suspect, who opened fire before detonating explosives among worshippers. Authorities reported that 169 people were taken to hospitals following the blast. The ISIL (ISIS) group later claimed responsibility for the attack on its Telegram channel, sharing an image of the alleged bomber.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the bombing as a “cowardly suicide attack on innocent worshippers,” while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief and called the assault a crime against humanity. Shia leader Raja Abbas Nasir criticized the authorities for failing to protect lives. The United Kingdom’s ambassador and the European Union delegation in Pakistan also condemned the violence.

The attack is among the deadliest in Islamabad in recent years, following previous suicide bombings in 2023 and 2008 that targeted the city’s judicial complex and Marriott hotel respectively.

Pakistan has protested the International Cricket Council’s decision to allow Scotland to play in the T20 World Cup instead of Bangladesh. Calling the move unfair, the Pakistan government decided to boycott its group-stage match against India as part of the protest. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha expressed disappointment over Bangladesh’s exclusion, describing Bangladeshis as “brothers” and asking for their support during the tournament.

Speaking to media in Colombo, Salman said the decision to boycott India was made by the government, not the players. He added that if Pakistan faces India in the knockout stage, the team will consult the government again before deciding whether to play. Reflecting on the previous World Cup, Salman said Pakistan aims to correct past mistakes after losing to the United States.

By boycotting India, Pakistan will lose two points, which could hurt its net run rate. Salman acknowledged the challenge, noting that weather conditions are beyond their control and the team’s focus remains on playing good cricket.

Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani has called on current ICC chairman Jay Shah to take an active role in reducing tensions between Pakistan and India. Speaking to Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper from London, Mani said Shah should personally visit Pakistan to persuade its government to withdraw its boycott and to listen carefully to its concerns. He warned that the ICC must also protect global cricket from potential financial losses if the standoff continues.

Mani criticized the ICC’s reported decision to assign deputy chairman Imran Khwaja to handle talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), arguing that as a representative of associate member Singapore, Khwaja was not the right person for the task. He said the ICC chairman himself should engage directly with the Pakistani government. Mani added that Pakistan’s decision likely rests on a strong foundation, especially if the matter reaches the ICC arbitration committee.

He expressed concern that India’s influence within the ICC could affect any arbitration outcome, as seen in 2018, and suggested Pakistan could appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland if justice is denied.

The United States has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan following coordinated attacks in the southwestern province of Balochistan that left more than 50 people dead. The US State Department issued a statement on Friday, condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with Pakistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks, which targeted multiple districts last Saturday. The US has previously designated the BLA as a terrorist organization.

According to reports, Balochistan, rich in mineral resources and bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long been the site of an armed separatist insurgency. Baloch militant groups frequently target security forces, foreign nationals, and non-local Pakistanis. Pakistan’s military said intelligence-based operations killed 216 militants, while 36 civilians, including women and children, and 22 security personnel were also killed in the violence. Islamabad blamed India for the attacks, but New Delhi denied the accusation.

Security analysts warned that the insurgency remains in a stalemate and could intensify without political solutions. Former military officials noted that weapons left after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan have strengthened militant groups like the BLA.

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.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that his country will deliver a firm and equal response to any provocation from India. He issued the warning on Thursday during a special address in Azad Kashmir marking Kashmir Solidarity Day, according to The News. Sharif stated that Pakistan would respond directly from the front where any provocation originates.

In his speech, Sharif accused India of conducting terrorism in Pakistan through proxies following its defeat in the war last May. He said regional peace would remain impossible until India abandons what he described as its aggressive, expansionist, and hegemonic ambitions. The prime minister emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces and security agencies would counter any India-backed terrorist activity with the same determination and skill shown in confronting enemy warplanes.

Sharif reiterated that Pakistan seeks peace based on equality and justice, describing the recent military success as both a demonstration of professional strength and a tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people.

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.