Sports

Pakistan initially refused to play against India in the T20 World Cup 2026, only to reverse its decision within nine days, now confirming that the much-anticipated clash will go ahead on 15 February. The Plot to Politicize Cricket According to sources in New Delhi, Pakistan attempted to leverage cricket for political gain, invoking regional solidarity with Bangladesh. Ironically, Bangladesh was born out of Pakistan’s 1971 oppression, aided by India. Yet, Pakistan staged a show of unity with Bangladesh, announcing that it would boycott the India match in the T20 World Cup. The controversy began after Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman left the IPL, with Pakistan reportedly trying to capitalize on the situation diplomatically and politically. The decision to boycott the India matc...

Pakistan’s emerging mystery spinner Usman Tariq has become the talk of the town during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with his unique bowling action and extraordinary performance generating headlines. Recently, Tariq made a startling revelation about his unusual bowling style that has left cricket fans stunned. Usman Tariq’s Shocking Claim After taking three crucial wickets against the USA, Tariq faced renewed chucking allegations. Addressing the controversy, Tariq clarified that the unusual bend in his arm is not a technical flaw but a biological condition. He revealed:"I have two elbows in my arm. My arm bends naturally. I have undergone medical examinations and received a clean chit. People assume I deliberately bend my arm, but it’s simply the natural structure of my body." This ...

Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has made controversial remarks ahead of the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for 15 February at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Initially, the Pakistan government had announced a boycott of the match against India, aligning with Bangladesh’s stance. However, in a surprising U-turn, Pakistan later confirmed their participation, setting the stage for one of cricket’s most intense rivalries. Saqlain Mushtaq’s Controversial Comments During a talk show in Pakistan, when asked about the pitch for the India-Pakistan encounter, Saqlain made remarks that have raised eyebrows. He said:"With the kind of technology and modern-day groundsmen involved, things can change. We know whose influence the ICC ...

New Delhi: Pakistan’s off-spinner Usman Tariq has found himself at the centre of a growing controversy over his bowling action during the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The debate intensified after Pakistan’s match against the United States on February 10 in Colombo, where Tariq delivered an impressive spell, taking 3 wickets for 27 runs. Despite his match-winning performance, several critics and fans questioned whether Tariq’s bowling action is legal, triggering widespread discussions on social media and among cricket experts. Amid the debate, Indian spin veteran Ravichandran Ashwin stepped forward in support of the Pakistani bowler, offering clarity on the matter through a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter). Ashwin: Only ICC Testing Can Decide Legality Ashwin stated that ...

Ahmedabad: South Africa’s Quinton de Kock has been on a record-breaking spree in the 2026 T20 World Cup, yet he narrowly missed a major personal milestone against Afghanistan, falling short by just two runs before being dismissed by Rashid Khan. Despite this, he etched his name in South African cricket history with another significant achievement. Falling Just Short of a Milestone At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, de Kock was in sensational form, needing 61 runs to reach 3,000 T20 international runs. He dominated Afghanistan’s bowlers, smashing 59 runs off 41 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes. Just when it seemed he would cross the milestone, he mistimed a pull shot off a flat delivery from Rashid Khan and was caught by Ibrahim Zadran at deep mid-wicket. De Ko...

New Delhi: Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised concerns about Pakistan’s star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi’s bowling action ahead of the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup. During Pakistan’s match against the USA on February 10 in Colombo, Shaheen Afridi struggled, conceding 42 runs in four overs while picking up only one wicket. Broadcasters Akash Chopra, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Irfan Pathan analyzed Afridi’s performance, highlighting flaws in his bowling technique. What Did Irfan Pathan Say About Afridi’s Action? A video circulating on social media shows the discussion between Pathan and Chopra. Chopra pointed out that Afridi’s head moves toward mid-wicket at the time of ball release, indicating that he is not watching the ball properly. Pathan ...

New Delhi: Pakistan’s spinner Usman Tariq has become the center of attention after his debut in the T20 World Cup against the USA on February 10. While Tariq delivered an impressive performance, claiming three wickets for just 27 runs, discussions around his bowling action have overshadowed his success. During the match, Tariq appeared to pause before delivering the ball, raising questions about the legality of his bowling technique. Opinions are divided—some believe his action constitutes “chucking,” while others maintain it is within legal limits. What Are the ICC Rules for a Legal Bowling Action? According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), a bowling action is considered illegal if a bowler throws rather than bowls the ball. Specifically, if a bowler straightens their ...

Dhaka: After Pakistan’s recent reversal over its participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Bangladesh has now become the latest team caught in a major controversy, following an unexpected political U-turn. Bangladesh government’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul has sparked a fresh debate after shifting his stance on the country’s decision to withdraw from the tournament. In a statement made on Tuesday, February 10, Nazrul claimed that the decision to stay away from the World Cup was not taken by the government, but instead by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the players themselves. The remarks have triggered widespread criticism, with many accusing the government of attempting to shift responsibility and portray the players as the main culprits behind the controversial exit. A...

New Delhi: New Zealand’s explosive opener Finn Allen has created history in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, breaking India’s Abhishek Sharma’s world record and becoming the fastest batter in the world to complete 5000 runs in T20 cricket. The record-breaking feat came during the 11th match of the tournament, played between New Zealand and UAE at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, where the Kiwi side produced a dominant performance and defeated UAE by 10 wickets. New Zealand Chases 174 with Ease After winning the toss, UAE chose to bat first and posted a competitive total of 174 runs. However, New Zealand’s opening pair Tim Seifert and Finn Allen made the chase look effortless. The duo completed the target in just 15.2 overs, sealing a one-sided victory and strengthening New Zeala...

New Delhi: With the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan encounter in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 confirmed for February 15, Team India is now focusing on the major on-field challenges that lie ahead. India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has admitted that Pakistan could enjoy a significant advantage in Colombo, calling it one of the biggest threats for India ahead of the blockbuster contest. The match will be played in Colombo, and according to the Indian camp, Pakistan’s extended stay in the city may prove crucial. Pakistan’s Extended Stay in Colombo Could Help Them Speaking to the media in Delhi, Ten Doeschate pointed out that Pakistan has been stationed in Colombo for the past two weeks, giving them valuable time to understand local conditions. “Pakistan have been in Colo...