The Pakistani government announced on February 1 that its cricket team will take part in the T20 World Cup but will not play the match against India. This decision is expected to cause major financial losses for broadcasters.

Pakistan has decided to boycott the match against India, but it knows that this decision could create serious problems. Because of this, Pakistan has started preparing to face possible action from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistani media reports say that if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is fined, it will raise an old case and demand compensation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

According to the announcement made on February 1, Pakistan will play in the T20 World Cup but will not face India. Broadcasters are expected to suffer heavy losses due to this move. After this, reports said that the ICC may recover these losses by imposing a fine on the PCB. While there are reports of possible penalties, the PCB is already ready to respond.

PCB to Raise 2018 Dispute Again

As reported by Pakistani newspaper Dawn, if the ICC takes action against the PCB, it will raise the 2018 dispute again. In November 2018, Pakistan accused the BCCI of breaking an agreement. Under this agreement, India and Pakistan were supposed to play seven bilateral series between 2014 and 2023, with two series scheduled to be held in Pakistan.

India refused to play these series. At first, the BCCI said it was not bound by the agreement. Later, it stated that the decision not to play bilateral cricket with Pakistan was taken on the instructions of the Indian government. Pakistan then demanded $63 million as compensation for financial losses, but the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee rejected this claim.

Pakistan now plans to raise this issue again. The PCB believes that if it is punished for refusing to play India, the ICC should also reconsider the 2018 case. Pakistan will argue that it was not compensated for the losses it suffered earlier. If the ICC does not agree, Pakistan may take the matter to the International Court of Arbitration.

India-Pakistan Match Brings Huge Revenue

An India-Pakistan match in an ICC tournament is estimated to generate around $250 million (more than ₹2,200 crore) in revenue. If the match does not take place, the host broadcaster could lose between ₹200 crore and ₹250 crore in advertising revenue. A 10-second advertising slot during an India-Pakistan match can cost up to ₹40 lakh.

This is why the ICC does not want Pakistan to boycott the match against India. In case of a walkover, India would receive full points, but the ICC would still have the power to fine the PCB. Pakistan has already boycotted matches against Bangladesh in the tournament. The ICC has replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, but Bangladesh is still expected to face consequences.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken a major and unexpected decision ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, announcing that the national team will not travel to India for its scheduled group-stage matches. This decision puts pressure on the International Cricket Council (ICC), as it is responsible for the tournament's schedule and venue arrangements.

Bangladesh's sports advisor, Asif Nazrul, confirmed the development through a social media post on Sunday. He stated that the decision was made after a BCB meeting.

"Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board took this decision today (January 4). We welcome this decision, which has been taken in response to the aggressive communal policies of the Indian cricket board," Nazrul wrote on Facebook.

Scheduled Matches in India

According to the original schedule for the 2026 T20 World Cup, all four of Bangladesh's group-stage matches were to be played in India. Three matches were scheduled at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and one at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Bangladesh was scheduled to begin its campaign against the West Indies in Kolkata on February 7, followed by matches against Italy (February 9) and England (February 14) at the same venue. The final group match against Nepal was scheduled for February 17 in Mumbai.

Controversy involving Mustafizur Rahman

This decision comes after a controversy involving Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was recently released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

KKR had acquired Mustafizur for ₹9.20 crore in the IPL mini-auction held last month. However, after objections were raised by some religious and political groups in India regarding the participation of a Bangladeshi player, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed KKR to release him. The franchise complied with the directive.  According to reports, this incident has heightened concerns within the BCB regarding the treatment and security of Bangladeshi players in India.
Request to shift matches to Sri Lanka

In light of these circumstances, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has decided to formally request the ICC to shift its T20 World Cup league matches to Sri Lanka. The BCB has expressed serious concerns about the safety of its players in the current situation.

The ICC has not yet given an official response, but discussions are expected in the coming days as the global governing body considers its options.

Bangladesh's group matches:

February 7: vs West Indies – Kolkata
February 9: vs Italy – Kolkata
February 14: vs England – Kolkata
February 17: vs Nepal – Mumbai

Bangladesh left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman will no longer feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The (BCCI) has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release the player from their squad in view of the deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.

According to sources, the decision was taken after reviewing the current geopolitical situation. The BCCI has clarified that KKR will be allowed to sign a replacement player in place of Mustafizur Rahman, subject to approval.

KKR had acquired the Bangladeshi pacer for ₹9.20 crore during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history.

following his inclusion in the squad, KKR faced significant criticism on social media platforms. Several fans, along with some political and religious leaders, raised objections to the participation of a Bangladeshi player in the IPL amid rising tensions between the two countries.

the situation has been further complicated by political instability in Bangladesh after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024. The unrest has led to multiple violent incidents across the country. Recently, the brutal killing of two Hindus triggered nationwide protests, drawing international attention. Despite the IPL decision, the Bangladesh national team is set to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The BCCI is in continuous communication with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding visa-related matters for Bangladeshi players.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play its group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, and officials have expressed confidence that there will be no major obstacles concerning player visas.

Notably, no IPL franchise bid for any Bangladeshi player during the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, KKR’s decision to invest heavily in Mustafizur during the IPL 2026 mini-auction had attracted widespread attention. 

Mustafizur’s selection to play for KKR has come amid allegations mostly by the Indian right-wing over attacks on Hindus.

While calling Shahrukh a traitor, Som questioned him for investing money in a player from a country working against India”.

The Hindustan Times quoted from a video clip of him as saying: The way Hindus are being persecuted in Bangladesh, women and girls are being raped, their homes are being burned, and anti-India slogans are being chanted there.

Despite all this, traitors like Shahrukh Khan, I’m calling him a traitor because everything he has is given by India, given by the people of India, but where do they invest this money? They invest it in players from a country that is working against India. I want to tell people like Shahrukh that they will not succeed.”

Mustafizur’s IPL Record

Mustafizur Rahman has previously represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

The 30-year-old pacer has taken 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches, maintaining an average of 28.44 and an economy rate of 8.13.

Claims that Ahmedabad’s successful bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games will become a financial burden are being dismissed by experts as “misguided” and based on an outdated understanding of how major sporting events are now hosted. Officials argue that the city and the state stand to gain significantly—especially under the newly adopted “Games Reset” model.

Why Low Competition Doesn’t Mean Low Value

Critics have pointed out that only India and Nigeria submitted formal bids for the 2030 Games, and that countries like Australia and Canada stepped back in recent years. However, analysts explain that this trend reflects financial caution among developed nations, not a decline in the event’s relevance.

Developed countries with mature infrastructure often do not see a strong cost-benefit advantage. But for a fast-growing nation like India, experts say the Games act as a strategic investment—a chance to accelerate infrastructure development, attract global attention, and boost long-term growth.

How Ahmedabad Gains Through the ‘Games Reset’

The Commonwealth Sport Movement recently introduced a new cost-efficient hosting strategy called the “Games Reset”. Ahmedabad is among the first major cities to fully align with this model, which emphasizes reuse, sustainability, and long-term purpose.

Key Advantages for Ahmedabad:

1. Sustainable, Permanent Infrastructure
   Under the new model, cities are encouraged to use existing venues such as the Narendra Modi Stadium and build new facilities only if they have long-term community value. This approach helps avoid the expensive “white elephant” structures that troubled past hosts.

2. Boost to India’s Global Aspirations
   With India aiming to host the 2036 Olympics, the 2030 Commonwealth Games serve as a real-time test of its capability to handle mega-events efficiently. A successful edition will strengthen India’s global standing and bolster its soft-power image.

3. Economic Activity & Sports Culture
   The reset model allows Ahmedabad to host a more streamlined, cost-effective Games. Officials expect increased tourism, job creation, and nationwide excitement for sports. The event is also seen as crucial for encouraging the next generation of athletes.

Experts say that calling Ahmedabad’s win a “default victory” ignores the broader strategic goals of emerging nations and the modernized hosting framework. Instead of being a burden, the 2030 Commonwealth Games are expected to be a well-planned, sustainable investment—one that builds infrastructure, strengthens India’s global reputation, and energizes its sporting ecosystem for years to come.

The final match of IPL 2025 will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3. This decision was taken in the BCCI meeting held on Tuesday, May 20.

BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia said that Ahmedabad will host the Qualifier-2 match and the Grand Final of IPL 2025. While the first qualifier and the eliminator will be played at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. The main consideration for the BCCI in selecting these venues was the weather conditions, as the rainy season is approaching the country.

The additional time scheduled for IPL 2025 matches has been increased by one hour. There will be an additional waiting period of 120 minutes for all IPL matches from May 20. Earlier, this period was only one hour and the BCCI has implemented the changes in the Playing Conditions with immediate effect. After this decision, the cutoff time for a 5-over match will be 11.30 pm IST instead of 10.30 pm. This rule will remain in place only till IPL 2025.

Due to rain in South India, a BCCI match has had to be changed. The match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad scheduled to be played on May 23 will be played at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow instead of Chinnaswamy Stadium. This decision has been taken after a yellow alert was issued in Bengaluru.

Talking about the IPL points table, Gujarat Titans are at the top of the table with 18 points after winning 9 matches out of 12 matches. RCB has won 8 matches out of 12 and is at the second position with 17 points. Along with this, Punjab has also shown a great game and remains at the third position with 17 points. Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians will face each other for the fourth position. This match is to be played on the 21st at Wankhede in Mumbai.