United News of Bangladesh

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally requested an explanation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding its decision to skip the high-profile T20 World Cup match against India. While the global body wishes to avoid a direct confrontation, it has hinted at seeking financial compensation and potentially imposing strict sanctions for breach of contract. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB submitted an email citing a mandatory directive from the Pakistan government as the primary reason for boycotting the February 15 clash in Colombo. The Pakistan government had announced the decision on social media on February 1. The ICC has stated that to successfully apply the “force majeure” clause under the Members' Participation Agreement, the PCB must prove the situation was entirely beyond its control and detail the steps taken to mitigate the damage. Read More: Sobhana Mostary jumps 16 spots in ICC rankings after World Cup qualifier heroics The governing body warned that the boycott could have severe sporting, commercial, and administrative repercussions, potentially leading to claims for "material damages" or even the suspension of membership for serious breach of obligations. However, the PCB believes its legal standing is strong, citing a precedent set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The PCB had previously lost a case before the ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee regarding unplayed series between 2015 and 2023, where the verdict favored the BCCI based on the lack of government clearance. The PCB is now using that verdict as a shield for its current stance.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League. This move was another indication of the deteriorating relationship between the two neighbours since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, which is criticised by the analysts as authoritarian, in 2024, and which had been a close ally of India. The Indian board has also granted the franchise permission to sign a replacement player. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the directive while speaking to an Indian news agency in Guwahati. Read more: Afghanistan announce T20 squad for World Cup “Due to recent events, the BCCI has instructed the KKR franchise to release the Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from their team,” Saikia said. “The BCCI has further stated that if they wish to replace the player, the BCCI will grant that permission as well,” he added.  The decision comes amidst growing controversy in Bangladesh following reports of violence against religious minorities in India. In recent weeks, a number of attacks have taken place against Muslim minorities in India.  The same kind of incidence of religious intolerance took place in Bangladesh as well. In one incident, a garment worker was killed by a mob that accused him of insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Bangladesh government arrested around a dozen people who were involved in the incident.  Indian media outlets report that Mustafizur's contract with KKR faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks. Prominent Indian figures had called for his removal, with religious leader Devkinandan Thakur urging KKR management to drop the cricketer. Along with that, hard-liner BJP leader Sangeet Som publicly criticised franchise owner Shah Rukh Khan for the acquisition. Mustafizur was the sole Bangladeshi player secured during last month's auction, despite seven players from the nation being on the list. KKR signed him for INR 9.20 crore, a record transfer fee for a Bangladeshi cricketer in the tournament's history. Read more: Khawaja calls out racial stereotypes in powerful farewell address While earlier reports indicated the BCCI was awaiting government guidance regarding the participation of Bangladeshi players, this latest directive confirms the board's final stance on the matter.

Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has been sacked as the head of a regional cricket board in the southern city of Hyderabad over alleged violation of rules. In a show-cause notice, the apex council of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has informed 58-year-old Azharuddin about its decision to remove him as the president of the sports body till the completion of an internal probe against him. Read Who can replace Shakib Al Hasan in Bangladesh Cricket Team? The former cricketer has also been stripped of the primary membership of the Association, in the wake of complaints that he is a member of a Dubai-based private cricket club which takes part in a tournament not recognised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. "The Apex Council is suspending you and your membership of HCA is being terminated until completion of the inquiry on these complaints (made by some members)," the show-cause notice states. Azharuddin has a week to respond to the notice. Read Memorable Match Winning Knocks in Tests World renowned for his wristy strokes and considered one of India's most successful cricket captains, Azharuddin played 99 tests and 334 one day internationals for this country. However, his international cricketing career came to an end when he was embroiled in a match-fixing scandal in 2000. Azharuddin was subsequently handed down a life ban by India's cricket control board, which was overturned by a higher court in Hyderabad in 2012. In 2009, Azharuddin was elected as a parliamentarian on a Congress party ticket. In September 2019, he was elected as the President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association. Read The Best ODI Batsmen of the 21st Century