United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam has decided not to attend today’s high-voltage T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Colombo, reportedly because the Bangladesh national team is not participating in the tournament. According to BCB sources, Aminul returned to Dhaka yesterday morning following an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Kuwait and has decided to remain in the country. Despite attempts to reach him, he did not respond to queries regarding his travel plans. ‘World Cup boycott was govt’s  decision, I remain firm on this’: Asif Nazrul The decision comes despite Aminul’s pivotal role in the recent diplomatic efforts to save the fixture. He was a key figure in the trilateral meeting in Lahore involving the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), where he urged Pakistan to drop their boycott threat—a threat made in solidarity with Bangladesh’s exclusion from the World Cup. The ICC had invited the board presidents of the five Asian Test-playing nations to watch the match together in Sri Lanka, aiming to use the occasion to bridge diplomatic gaps. While PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC Chairman Jay Shah will be in attendance alongside the Sri Lankan board chief, Aminul’s seat will remain empty.

Italy celebrated a landmark moment in its cricket history by registering its first-ever win at a T20 World Cup, thrashing Nepal by 10 wickets on Thursday, while India and Sri Lanka maintained their perfect starts to the tournament. At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, brothers Anthony and Justin Mosca powered Italy to victory with an unbeaten 124-run opening stand after Nepal were bowled out for 123. Anthony smashed 62 off 32 balls and Justin added 60 off 44 as Italy chased down the target in just 12.4 overs. It was Italy’s first win at a global cricket event and only the second 10-wicket victory by an associate nation in T20 World Cup history. Messi suffers hamstring strain, doubtful for Inter Miami’s MLS opener Earlier, Crishan Kalugamage claimed 3-18 and Ben Manenti took 2-9 as Nepal collapsed, losing seven wickets for 30 runs. In New Delhi, defending champion and co-host India defeated Namibia by 93 runs. Ishan Kishan struck 61 off 24 balls, while Hardik Pandya shone with 52 off 28 deliveries and 2-21 with the ball. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy triggered Namibia’s collapse with 3-7. Meanwhile, in Pallekele, Sri Lanka crushed Oman by 105 runs. Captain Dasun Shanaka blasted a 19-ball half-century as Sri Lanka posted 225-5, the highest total of the tournament so far. Oman managed 120-9 in reply. India top Group A, while Sri Lanka have two wins from two matches.

Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has clarified that the decision for Bangladesh not to play the World Cup matches in India was taken solely by the government due to security concerns, dispelling confusion arising from his recent remarks. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Adviser addressed the criticism he faced after seemingly attributing the boycott decision to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the players during a press interaction the previous day. "I have clearly stated since the beginning of January that not playing the World Cup in India due to security risks was the government's decision. I certainly remain steadfast in this statement," Nazrul wrote. He explained that the confusion arose from his response to a journalist's question about whether he had any "regrets" regarding the decision.  Speaking at an event where the BCB handed over Tk 2 crore to Dhaka University, Nazrul said he was "emotional" about the board's generosity during such a sensitive time. "When asked about regrets... I felt that my or the government's regret was not the main issue. The main issue was the sacrifice of the cricket board and the players," he explained. Nazrul drew a distinction between making the decision and accepting it. While the government made the call, he argued that the players and the board deserve the credit for accepting it without protest, despite facing financial losses and potential sanctions. "I admit my failure in not being able to explain the matter clearly during an unprepared discussion," he concluded, reaffirming that the government's stance would not have been easy to maintain had the players not complied so willingly.

A major breakthrough in the ongoing T20 World Cup crisis appears imminent following a marathon five-hour meeting between the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Lahore on Sunday. Sources indicate that a resolution could be announced within the next 24 hours, potentially saving the high-profile India-Pakistan clash scheduled for February 15 in Sri Lanka. The emergency talks, facilitated by the PCB, primarily focused on addressing grievances lodged by the Bangladesh Cricket Board regarding “past injustices”. Insiders revealed that a formula has been devised to address these concerns, with the ICC responding positively to the proposals. ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, who led the delegation, has departed to seek final approval for the proposed recommendations. Meanwhile, BCB officials have returned to Dhaka to brief their government on the developments. The two parties are expected to reconnect on Monday afternoon to finalise the agreement. ICC delegation lands in Lahore for crisis talks over India-Pakistan World Cup match Parallel to these developments, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is set to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within the next 24 to 48 hours. Naqvi will seek formal instructions regarding the national team's participation in the match against India, a decision that ultimately rests with the Prime Minister. This diplomatic push comes after Prime Minister Sharif had publicly backed the boycott earlier in the week, stating that “politics should be kept out of sports” and termed the decision not to play India as “appropriate".

New Zealand kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign with a record-breaking victory, chasing down a target of 183 to defeat Afghanistan by 5 wickets in Chennai on Sunday. This is now New Zealand's highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history, surpassing their previous best of 170. Batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan posted a competitive 182 for 6 in their 20 overs. All-rounder Gulbadin Naib starred with a career-best 63, while Sediqullah Atal contributed 29 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz added 27. Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis, taking 2 wickets in a single over during the powerplay to check Afghanistan’s momentum. Read More: T20 World Cup Opener: Pakistan opt to bowl first vs Netherlands In reply, New Zealand faced an early scare as spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the second over, removing Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra to leave them at 14 for 2. However, a counter-attacking partnership between Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips steadied the ship. Seifert played a match-winning knock of 65, while Phillips smashed a quickfire 42 off 25 balls. Their aggressive approach ensured New Zealand never fell behind the required rate, with the team reaching 52 for 2 by the end of the powerplay. Later contributions from Mark Chapman (28 off 17) and Daryl Mitchell (25 off 14) helped the Black Caps seal the win with 13 balls to spare.

Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign has suffered a severe blow just five days before their opening match, with pace bowler Josh Hazlewood officially ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The news comes as a double blow for the 2021 champions, who had already lost Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins to injury earlier. Hazlewood, who has been battling ongoing hamstring and Achilles issues, did not travel with the squad to co-host nation Sri Lanka earlier this week. Instead, he remained in Sydney for rehabilitation. Cricket Australia (CA) selector Tony Dodemaide confirmed that while the team had hoped for a late recovery, the timeline was too tight. “We were hoping Josh would be fit to return for the Super Eights matches,” Dodemaide said. “However, the latest information indicates that he will need more time to be fully ready. Accelerating his preparation at this stage would significantly increase the risk of further injury.” Hazlewood had been in stellar form in the T20 format last year, playing a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL title win and performing well in series against South Africa, New Zealand, and India. His troubles began with a hamstring injury during a Sheffield Shield match prior to the Ashes, followed by a recurring Achilles problem. Cricket Australia has not yet named a replacement, though Sean Abbott is currently with the squad as a traveling reserve. “We are not announcing a replacement player at this moment. We feel our squad is balanced enough for the initial matches. A decision will be made later based on priority if the situation demands,” Dodemaide added. Injured Cummins left out of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad The injury crisis in the Australian camp extends beyond the pace attack. The team fielded only 11 fit players for Thursday's warm-up match against the Netherlands in Colombo, which was eventually washed out. However, there is some positive news, as leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who suffered a groin strain against Pakistan on February 1, is expected to be fit for the opener against Ireland. Nathan Ellis and Tim David are reportedly “on track” to recover from their respective hamstring issues for the group stage.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is facing concerns over a potential financial blow following Pakistan’s decision to boycott its high-profile T20 World Cup group match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s last-minute refusal to play the fixture has already triggered alarm among organisers, as the match was expected to generate significant revenue through ticket sales, broadcasting and tourism-related income. Colombo is currently fully booked, with hotels and related services anticipating a surge of visitors for the marquee clash. During an executive committee meeting on Tuesday, SLC decided to formally approach the PCB, urging it to reconsider the boycott. A letter to that effect was sent on Thursday. Sources said SLC fears that if the match does not go ahead, it would not only hurt the board’s earnings but also negatively affect Sri Lanka’s broader economy. A no-match scenario could also impact funding from international broadcasters, with potential consequences for ICC revenue distribution to member boards and associate nations. Prove you are fair: Pakistan legend Afridi tells ICC supporting Pakistan’s boycott In its letter, SLC reminded Pakistan of Sri Lanka’s past support, particularly when the island nation toured Pakistan at a time when international teams were reluctant to visit following the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. SLC also warned of possible adverse effects on tourism, including hotel booking cancellations, flight disruptions and complications for logistical service providers. The board reiterated that it was fully prepared to host the sellout match at the R Premadasa Stadium. Meanwhile, India have made it clear they are ready to proceed with the fixture. India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team’s position remains unchanged and that they are prepared to travel to Colombo as scheduled. “Our mindset is clear. We will play. Our flight is booked and we are going,” Suryakumar said during the captains’ media briefing in Colombo on Thursday, as quoted by the ICC. “We have been told we have a game on February 15.” He acknowledged the complexity of the situation for Pakistan but stressed that the decision ultimately lies with them. Kamran Akmal slams ICC’s ‘double standards’ as Pakistan stand firm on skipping India clash Pakistan had earlier announced its boycott of the match against India in support of Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India for the tournament. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will run from February 7 to March 8. India begin their campaign against the United States on February 7 and are set to play their second group match on February 12. #With inputs from NDTV

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Google have announced a landmark partnership for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, aiming to deliver the first-ever “AI-powered” edition of the tournament. Under the collaboration, Google Gemini has been named the “Official AI Fan Companion,” while Google Pixel will serve as the “Official Smartphone” of the event. The initiative seeks to merge live sporting action with advanced generative AI to deepen fan engagement globally. The partnership kicks off with the “Craziest Fan Kaun” contest, an interactive campaign inviting fans to use Gemini’s image generation capabilities—powered by the Nano Banana model—to design unique “Crazy Fan” avatars. Winners will be awarded an exclusive match-day experience, attending a World Cup game in person while wearing their custom AI-designed looks. Yousuf questions ICC governance: ‘Cricket must be ruled by principles, not influence’ “This partnership brings together two global organisations united by consumer focus, scale, purpose and innovation,” said ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta. “Together, we will use technology to deepen engagement, enhance experiences and make cricket more accessible and meaningful for fans worldwide.” To further integrate AI into the fan journey, the Gemini app will feature a dedicated “Explore Cricket” tab. This hub will offer weekly refreshed content, including AI-generated explanations of complex rules like the DLS system, quizzes, and interactive challenges such as “Design a new cricket format.” Additionally, fans can access “Insight Cards by Gemini,” which synthesize web data to create shareable digital snapshots of player milestones and trivia. On the hardware front, Google Pixel devices will be used to capture exclusive, high-quality content from inside the stadiums. Leveraging Pixel’s 48MP 5x telephoto lens and advanced video capabilities, the partnership promises to offer fans never-before-seen perspectives of the on-field action across social media platforms. Shekar Khosla, VP Marketing at Google India, expressed excitement about the collaboration. “We are bringing together Gemini’s generative capabilities and Pixel’s advanced imaging to deliver features that empower fans with new avenues for creativity and celebration,” he said.  

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it could face legal action from the T20 World Cup’s official broadcasters, JioStar, over Pakistan’s decision to boycott its February 15 match against India, a PCB source said on Tuesday. Pakistan decided not to play the high-profile match in Colombo following instructions from its government, but the PCB has yet to formally convey the reasons for the boycott to the ICC. According to a PTI report, the ICC is considering withholding Pakistan’s entire annual revenue share, estimated at around USD 35 million, and using that amount to compensate the broadcasters. A PCB source said chairman Mohsin Naqvi had consulted the board’s legal team before briefing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the matter last week, but the board is now preparing for serious repercussions. “If Pakistan does not back down and play against India, they could face heavy financial penalties, a possible lawsuit from broadcasters, and even an appeal to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee is unlikely to succeed,” the source told PTI. Prove you are fair: Pakistan legend Afridi tells ICC supporting Pakistan’s boycott The ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee is an internal body that does not entertain appeals against decisions taken by the ICC Board itself. Another PCB source pointed out that Pakistan’s position could be further weakened because the team is already playing all its matches at a neutral venue in Sri Lanka, a condition it had sought instead of playing in India. The source also noted that while the Indian government has not allowed its team to tour Pakistan, it has not prevented India from playing Pakistan at neutral venues in Asia Cup or ICC tournaments, even after the conflict in May. The PCB has not yet sent a written communication to the ICC, though the boycott is reportedly being viewed as an act of solidarity with Bangladesh following their ouster. India to show up at stadium as Pakistan confirms boycott of Feb 15 clash “When the ICC signed a four-year broadcasting deal for its events, India-Pakistan matches were a key component of that contract, and payments were made accordingly,” the source said. “As a result, the broadcaster would be well within its rights to take both the PCB and the ICC to court over what it sees as a major breach of contract.” #With inputs from NDTV

Pakistan has announced that although its national team will take part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, it will boycott the high-profile group-stage match against India, a decision expected to stir strong reactions in the cricketing world. The announcement puts an end to weeks of speculation regarding Pakistan's involvement in the tournament but deals a massive blow to the event's most anticipated fixture. The high-stakes match was scheduled for February 15. The decision was communicated via the Pakistan government's official X (formerly Twitter) handle. “The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India,” the statement read. This unprecedented move effectively means Pakistan will likely forfeit points for the match, but the decision appears to be a political stance rather than a cricketing one. Litton, Shanto, Akbar to lead teams in special 3-team T20 event starting Feb 5 It comes amidst heightened regional tensions and follows the recent controversy involving Bangladesh, who were replaced in the tournament by Scotland after refusing to play in India. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) had reportedly moved Pakistan's games to Sri Lanka to ensure their participation, the government's refusal to play India—even at a neutral venue—marks a historic low in bilateral sporting ties.