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.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused India of conducting proxy terrorism in Pakistan following its defeat in the war of May last year. He made the allegation in response to recent deadly attacks in Balochistan, speaking during a special session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad on Kashmir Solidarity Day. Sharif said sustainable peace in South Asia is impossible unless India abandons its aggressive and expansionist policies.

During his address, Sharif expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir, saying their sacrifices would not be in vain. He recalled Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s description of Kashmir as the “jugular vein” of Pakistan and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to peace based on equality and justice. He also reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on Palestine and Kashmir.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces recently completed “Operation Raddul Fitna-1,” killing at least 216 militants. The coordinated operation also left 36 civilians, including women and children, and 22 security personnel dead.

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.

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.

Pakistan has announced a boycott of its upcoming T20 World Cup match against India, sparking widespread debate over the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) neutrality. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused the ICC of double standards and called for the creation of a new international cricket body. His remarks, shared on social media, were echoed by sports analyst and journalist Omar Quraishi, who questioned the ICC’s impartiality and policy consistency.

Quraishi argued that Pakistan’s decision reflects long-standing political realities in international cricket, which he said the ICC itself has allowed to develop. He claimed that past favoritism toward the Indian government by the ICC has contributed to the current situation. According to Quraishi, Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup remains both pragmatic and principled, as it is a multilateral event rather than a bilateral series.

He added that Pakistan’s stance highlights the need for equal application of rules across all teams, asserting that until fairness is ensured, the country’s position remains justified and defensible.

A large-scale anti-terror operation in Pakistan’s Balochistan province has left 255 people dead over three days, according to the country’s security forces. Officials claimed that 197 members of an ‘India-backed’ separatist group were killed during the operation, along with 22 Pakistani soldiers who died in the line of duty. The violence began on January 31 when the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched coordinated attacks across 12 towns, killing 17 security personnel and 31 civilians.

Following the attacks, Pakistani forces and law enforcement agencies initiated a clearance operation across the province. Security sources reported that 36 civilians, including women and children, were killed in subsequent assaults over the weekend. The military’s media wing, ISPR, stated that the militants targeted ordinary citizens to disrupt normal life and development in Balochistan.

ISPR added that security forces responded with determination and professionalism, though intense fighting led to further casualties among troops. The situation remains tense as operations continue in multiple districts.