The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday stated that “agenda-driven fake news targeting the character of our players is unacceptable and will not be tolerated”. The development comes after several Indian media outlets reported that an unnamed member of Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup “misbehaved” with a female housekeeper at a hotel, ahead of their Super Eight match with Sri Lanka in Kandy. A similar report was also carried by ARY News, which alleged that the player in qu...

The two-day session of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPCBiH) commenced today.

PCB likely to penalise players after underwhelming T20 World Cup campaign  Geo TV

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed each member of the squad for the T20 World Cup Rs5 million following their “underwhelming” campaign, ESPNcricinfo reported on Monday. According to the report, the fines were not for disciplinary reasons, but specifically for what the cricket board deemed “poor performance” at the event. “They were imposed immediately following Pakistan’s match against India in the group stages, where a meek showing resulted in a 61-run de...

Security concerns in Abu Dhabi have led to the cancellation of the second unofficial one-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and England Lions.

Pakistan's T20 captain Salman Ali Agha is set to be removed following the World Cup, irrespective of the team's performance. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is reportedly unhappy with the campaign's trajectory. Senior players, including Babar Azam, may also see their T20 international careers conclude after the tournament.

The Protem Speaker ordered the suspension of an IAS officer in the MPCB for failing to attend a briefing.

OZ Group’s Hamza Majeed says PCB will make the call in the coming days

Manoj Tiwary has criticized PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, suggesting a lack of clarity and freedom may be causing tension between Pakistan's coach and captain, evidenced by a recent incident.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Friday that the Green Shirts would tour Bangladesh in March for a three-match One Day International (ODI) series. In a press release, the PCB said, “Pakistan men’s cricket team will tour Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed on Friday.” It said that the team would arrive in Bangladesh on March 9 and hold a training session the next day, ahead of the opening ODI against the hosts on March 11. The board added that the second ODI would be played on March 13, while the third and final match was scheduled for March 15. It added that all three matches would be played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. “This will be Pakistan’s second tour of Bangladesh since July 2025. Pakistan last toured Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series in July, which the hosts won 2-1. Meanwhile, Bangladesh toured Pakistan for a three-match T20I series in May/June last year, which the Salman Ali Agha-led side won 3-0,” the PCB said. The development comes after Pakistan announced it would boycott the match against India during the ongoing T20 World Cup. The decision came after Bangladesh’s request to shift its matches out of India was rejected amid tensions between the two countries, which led to the team being replaced by Scotland in the tournament. The situation ultimately led to a delegation from the International Cricket Council visiting Pakistan, after which it was announced that Pakistan would play the match against India. However, the ICC also announced that Bangladesh would not face any penalty for opting out of the tournament and would also host an ICC event prior to the Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2031.

(LEFT) PHF President Tariq Hussain Bugti announces his resignation; while, PCB Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi meets players from the national team.—Dawn • PM accepts Tariq Bugti’s resignation, Wani named interim president • Outgoing chief imposes two-year ban on captain Ammad Butt before quitting • PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi meets players, hands ‘compensation’ cheques • PSB blames PHF for mismanagement; Bugti alleges board delayed payments • Shake-up follows Australia tour fiasco, when players were left without hotel upon arrival LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: Amid a deepening crisis in Pakistan hockey, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday accepted the resignation of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Tariq Hussain Bugti and appointed Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Federal Secretary Mohiy­uddin Ahmed Wani as ad-hoc president of the federation. The premier also accepted the resignations of PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid and Treasurer Shahid Pervaiz Bhandara. Their replacements had not been announced until late Thursday night. The developments came amid controversy over the national team’s tour of Australia for the FIH Pro League, where accommodation arrangements could not be secured on time, forcing players to spend several hours on the road. The team’s overall performance in the Pro League also came under criticism. In addition, PHF elections had been facing delays. Mr Bugti had been appointed by interim prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar to hold elections but did not complete the process during his tenure. Similarly, in his tenure, Mr Bugti-led PHF was accused of inaction over alleged corruption, pointed out by the Auditor General of Pakistan. There are more than 100 audit paras related to the PHF, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been probing the matter for over a year. Speaking after his appointment, Mr Wani said the governance mechanism of the PHF would be improved. “In the next six weeks, we will prepare a business plan for the PHF and take steps to run this federation on professional grounds,” he said. He added that IPC would form a working group with all sports boards and education bodies to focus on grassroots development and that international trainers and coaches would also be engaged. “There is no shortage of resources, but the PHF is facing financial management issues. We will work on this,” he said, adding that he would ensure free, fair and transparent elections. “Hockey, being the national game, is close to our hearts and we will take every possible step to bring positive change,” he said. National captain ‘banned’ Earlier on Thursday, before the prime minister’s decision, Mr Bugti announced his resignation, but not before imposing a two-year ban on national captain Ammad Shakeel Butt, citing findings of a committee regarding alleged misconduct. “I received a message (from a certain quarter) and I am resigning from the post as it is not a big issue. Had the prime minister asked me six months earlier, I would have left,” Mr Bugti said, appealing to the prime minister and Field Marshal Asim Munir to constitute an independent committee to probe the entire episode. He said he was ready to face any punishment if found responsible. However, shortly after Mr Bugti’s resignation, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi met the hockey players, including Ammad Butt and Hanan Shahid. In a message on X, Mr Naqvi said: “I am not becoming Hockey Federation President but we will assist players till this turmoil ends.” Talking to the media after the meeting, Mr Butt said Mr Naqvi directed that a training camp be set up in Lahore from Friday for the World Cup qualifiers to be held in Egypt and that immediate steps be taken to hire foreign coaches. Mr Butt said former Pakistan coach Roelant Oltmans had been contacted and might join the team directly in Egypt. On the reported two-year ban, Mr Butt said Mr Naqvi told him there was no ban and that the same team which toured Australia would travel to Egypt. The ban had reportedly been imposed under the PHF constitution, raising questions over the process for its reversal. The PCB later issued a statement confirming Mr Naqvi’s meeting with the players and announcing that cheques of Rs1,000,000 had been distributed to each member of the national team, which took second position in the last six international tournaments. The cricket board said Mr Naqvi had assured full cooperation in streamlining the affairs of the players and confirmed that tickets, hotel accommodation and kits would be arranged for the World Cup qualifying round. Outgoing PHF president Mr Bugti told Dawn that arrangements for the qualifiers had already been made through a grant from the Balochistan government. PSB-PHF blame game Meanwhile, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) issued a statement rejecting allegations levelled by the PHF and placing responsibility for the Australia tour’s mismanagement on the federation. The PSB said it had fulfilled all financial obligations for the FIH Pro League Phase 2 in Hobart and made timely payments. It alleged that the PHF had submitted visa applications late and with incomplete information, delaying the team’s departure from Feb 2 to Feb 5. According to the PSB, it bore Rs27.1 million in air ticket expenses and an additional Rs9.7m burden caused by the visa delays. It said that, at the PHF’s request, an advance of 49,280 Australian dollars was issued for hotel accommodation, along with daily allowances of USD 1,610 per player and USD 3,000 for miscellaneous expenses. The PSB also stated that while the PHF had sought a total grant of Rs350m for the Pro League, the government approved Rs250m, with the remaining amount to be arranged by the federation. It alleged that most of the PSB’s grant had been spent on salaries and foreign tours of PHF officials, prompting the board to stop issuing direct grants. In contrast, Mr Bugti had alleged that the PSB failed to make timely payments for hotel bookings and criticised the formation of a probe committee comprising PSB officials. He also urged the formation of a Pakistan Hockey Board and the transfer of stadium control to the PHF to generate funds. Meanwhile, Hockey legend Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, who had opposed Pakistan’s participation in the Pro League, said the national game deserved special treatment from the government. He criticised the heavy expenditure on the league and said the funds should have been directed towards grassroots development in schools, colleges and districts. Pakistan, a four-time World Cup winner and three-time Olympic champion, has faced a prolonged decline in international hockey over the past 30 years, amid repeated allegations of poor administration and negligence in the PHF officialdom, non-existent planning and upgrading, sheer lack of accountability, nepotism and a high frequency of changes in the federation. Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2026

Pakistan is reportedly set to bench senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for their T20 World Cup match against Namibia following their poor performance against India. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed dissatisfaction, leading the management to consider changes to test other players and potentially end the duo's campaign.

They came, they saw, they collapsed. After the hullabaloo of the boycott and “un-boycott”, after the claim of a moral victory in the immoral corridors of the ICC, there was some expectation that Pakis­tan’s chutzpah in cricket politics would translate onto the cricket pitch. But it was not to be. For the Pakistani fan, it is usually the expectation that kills you. Beyond the post-boycott optimism, there were genuine cricketing reasons to be optimistic this time around. The only silver lining for Pakistan now is that the outcome of this match should not stop their qualification for the next stage. In recent months, Pakistan have looked like a team getting to grips with modern T20 cricket. They rediscovered spin and are reconnected with the joy of hitting. In recent months, Pakistan seem to have rediscovered spin and the joy of hitting, but the team still have much to learn if they are to challenge the stronger nations A team and game formula has begun to emerge under the low-key technocracy of Mike Hesson. Importantly, Pakis­tan seem to have rediscovered themselves, and built a platform for a better future. It is worth remembering that they also started this tournament well. Yet, that platform is very much under construction, and on Sunday, India ruthlessly exposed how far it is from being finished. It is a shocking and sobering statistic, but India have now defeated Pakistan in 11 consecutive World T20 matches. The question the PCB should be asked now is: What are you going to do about this form of cricket domination? Salman Ali Agha’s team will have learnt an important lesson: you need to walk before you can run. Pakistan can walk, but breaking out too early into a sprint is inadvisable. In Colombo, Pakistan’s execution of their plan was hapless, but the plan itself was also a problem. The bowling plan failed to apply early pressure on India, and the batting plan threw the game away in the first power play. For once, only the fielding stood up to scrutiny. Dissecting the failures India’s target looked a stiff challenge, and Pakistan began in disastrous fashion. Being positive is good, but Pakistan were reckless, especially since they were losing wickets. Saim Ayub was undone by a Jaspreet Bumrah pearler, but the rest of the top order hit like they were playing tape-ball cricket on the streets of Lahore, not in an ICC showcase event against India. It was a baffling and careless effort. What adds salt to the wound is the fact that while India were competent in the field, they weren’t spectacular enough to deliver a 61-run thrashing. The parade of irresponsibility was led by Salman Agha and Babar Azam, Pakistan’s most senior top order batsmen. When Pakistan needed at least one of them to stand and anchor the innings, neither was willing to embrace the mental application required from them. The easy option was to hit out, and get out. Resistance came in the form of Usman Khan, but the pressure of losing early wickets — and the consequent impact on run rate — was too much. Usman’s rally was half-decent, at a time when something extraordinary was needed. All eyes were on the toss for evidence of a reset in the rivalry. Would the captains shake hands, the standard etiquette of cricket? They didn’t. Normal service resumed. Salman and Suryakumar barely exchanged a glance. The decision at the toss — to bowl first — looked a defensive one. What followed suggested that Pakistan had, once again, shrivelled to the occasion. Suryakumar was happy to be invited to bat. But Salman followed this decision by bowling the first over himself. It was a good one on a turning track, with the wicket of Abhishek Sharma to boot. That was as good as it got. Any genuine hopes lasted but one over. From that point on, Pakistan’s plan and senses unravelled. Kishan VS the bowling This was in large part due to the brilliance of Ishan Kishan. The small opener stood and delivered, rooted to the crease and striking powerfully. When he did dance down to the spinners, he moved decisively. For the first half of the match, it was Kishan versus Pakistan, and Kishan won. On a day of batting mediocrity, he was a class apart. Pakistan’s bowlers didn’t help themselves. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed, arguably the spearheads of our attack, were poor. Shadab Khan was also off his game. They bowled like a team going through the motions, barely adjusting to Kishan’s advance. If you can’t get the man while he’s on a rampage, the captain’s job is to get the rampager off strike. But Pakistan were stuck in a groove of needless variation. The general problem was that having backed spin, Pakistan didn’t utilise it properly. Bright sparks The pitch was taking turn off a length, and when Pakistan chose to exploit it with more classical spin bowling, it worked. Usman Tariq kept this in mind as he reeled off his freeze frame variations to valuable effect. Saim Ayub stuck to the disciplines best, though, bringing Pakistan back into the contest with Kishan’s wicket, followed immediately by Hardik Pandya’s. Pakistan’s impact player was suddenly on a hat trick. It was possibly game on. The hat-trick ball that Saim produced was perhaps the ball of the innings. Shivam Dube might have been bowled, caught or stumped, but managed to avoid each of these catastrophes. Still, Pakistan’s spinners pulled the game back, slowing a run rate of 9 an over to a mere 6-7 an over, until Afridi’s disastrous final offering allowed India to reach a formidable 175. For the Pakistan fan, the main takeaway on Sunday is the relief that they are not out of the tournament, yet. But the team have much to learn if they are to challenge the stronger nations. And even if Pakistan did not please their fans with their performance in Colombo, they at least did manage to placate Sri Lanka, India, and the ICC by honouring their tournament commitment. Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2026

Mohammad Amir has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board's reported PKR 50 lakh fine on players after their T20 World Cup exit. He argued that selectors and administrators should also be held accountable for poor team selections and performance, suggesting dropping underperforming players instead of fining them.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to take the most bizarre of actions after the Pakistan team's average performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup has resulted in financial penalties for the players, with the PCB imposing PKR 50 lakh fines on each. This decision follows the team's failure to reach the semifinals for the fourth consecutive ICC tournament, with future financial benefits now tied to performance.

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board's leadership, calling the management "clueless" after their T20 World Cup exit. Akhtar highlighted flawed player selections, suggesting the team's consistent failures in ICC tournaments stem from a weak support structure around PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, urging him to seek better advice.

The four-year deal has been sold to Walee Technologies

A study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has revealed significant heavy metal contamination and excessive pesticide residues in vegetables sold in Bengaluru, raising food safety concerns.

Strong possibility that in future Pakistan hockey may be run through a governing board model similar to that of PCB

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi backed Pakistan hockey players after they accused the PHF of abandoning them during the Australia tour. Players said they had no hotel and had to cook and clean themselves, sparking outrage. Naqvi promised full support, financial aid, and help with training, while captain Ammad Shakeel Butt’s suspension is set to be reversed. The incident exposed serious mismanagement in Pakistan hockey.

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Shoaib Akhtar's sharp criticism of PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi took a U-turn, with the former pacer claiming his remarks were misconstrued. Akhtar insisted his 'incompetent and illiterate' comments targete

India continued its strong record against Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup, securing an eighth victory in their rivalry, prompting reflections on Pakistan's performance.

It was never going to be easy for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to sideline Pakistan from the T20 World Cup, let alone exclude them from the marquee clash against India. That is precisely why, today on February 15, Pakistan will take on India for the ninth time in T20 World Cup history. It is a rivalry in which Pakistan has managed only one victory so far. Yet win numbers barely matter when these two teams meet, because this contest has grown far beyond cricket and has become arguably the most anticipated fixture in global sport. In the build-up to this match, uncertainty loomed large. Until just days before the game, there was no official confirmation that Pakistan would play. This followed a dramatic political intervention when the Government of Pakistan announced that it would not permit the Pakistan team to participate in the World Cup group-stage match against India. Despite the tournament featuring 20 teams, this single lucrative fixture dominated headlines across the cricketing world. The tension had been sparked when Bangladesh approached the ICC, requesting that their World Cup matches be shifted out of India due to political and security concerns. The ICC rejected this request, citing operational challenges, and eventually removed Bangladesh from the tournament, replacing them with Scotland. This decision sent shockwaves through the cricket community and raised serious questions about fairness and consistency in governance. The most anticipated match in the ongoing T20 World Cup, Pakistan versus India today, almost didn’t happen. But the issue was always about more than a single match. It was about respect, equity and the balance of power in international cricket At that moment, Pakistan emerged as the only major cricketing nation willing to stand publicly in solidarity with Bangladesh. Pakistan’s position was rooted in recent precedent. In the 2025 Champions Trophy, India refused to travel to Pakistan and the ICC allowed their matches to be played at a neutral venue in the UAE. Similarly, in the 2026 T20 World Cup, Pakistan was already playing all its matches in Sri Lanka rather than India. Given this background, many believed that Bangladesh deserved the same consideration rather than outright exclusion. The Pakistan government took a firm stance and instructed the national team not to play India unless the issue was addressed. This moment marked a rare instance of a powerful cricket board openly challenging both the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). On Sky Sports, former England captain and respected commentator Nasser Hussain weighed in on the controversy. He remarked that it was difficult to imagine the ICC treating India the same way if they had refused to play in a host country at short notice. He further stated that Pakistan was speaking to the ICC and BCCI in the only language that truly moves world cricket, financial leverage and commercial reality. Hussain also expressed admiration for both Bangladesh and Pakistan, praising Bangladesh for taking a principled stand and Pakistan for defending another full member of the ICC. The situation reached a turning point on Sunday, February 8, when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president and the ICC deputy chairman travelled to Pakistan for high-level talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. These discussions proved crucial and, by Monday evening, a resolution began to take shape. Following the meeting, the BCB formally requested Pakistan to proceed with the match against India on February 15. Shortly after, the ICC issued a detailed press release outlining key assurances, including recognition of Bangladesh as a valued full member with a proud cricketing heritage, confirmation that their absence from the 2026 World Cup would not harm their long-term cricketing future and a commitment to continue supporting cricket development in Bangladesh, a nation of over 200 million passionate fans. Most importantly, the ICC confirmed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalties would be imposed on Bangladesh. The BCB also retained the right to approach the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee if it chose to do so. Additionally, Bangladesh was guaranteed hosting rights for an ICC event between 2028 and 2031, ahead of the 2031 Men’s Cricket World Cup, subject to standard procedures. Following this resolution, the Government of Pakistan officially announced on social media platform X that Pakistan would indeed play India today. This marked a historic moment in cricket diplomacy, where one board stood up for another in the name of fairness and equality among ICC members. Despite this positive outcome, a misleading narrative began circulating in the Indian media. Several outlets portrayed Pakistan as backing down or surrendering under pressure. This interpretation was far from the truth. The reality is that India versus Pakistan matches in ICC tournaments generate immense global viewership and revenue. Broadcasters, sponsors, the ICC, BCCI and PCB all benefit significantly from this rivalry. Even during periods of intense public hostility, such as the 2025 Asia Cup, India ultimately played Pakistan despite political tensions at home. At that time, Indian players refused to shake hands as a symbolic gesture, yet they still participated because a full boycott was simply not commercially viable. What made this situation different was that Pakistan became the first team to openly risk financial losses and potential ICC sanctions by threatening to withdraw from the biggest match in world cricket. This was not a retreat but a calculated stand based on principles. At the same time, the ICC was never in a position to simply remove or punish Pakistan the way it did with Bangladesh, even though this was exactly what many in India, particularly sections of Indian media and officials close to the BCCI, were hoping for. Kicking Pakistan out of a global event was never going to be straightforward, because Pakistan is one half of the biggest rivalry in world cricket, a rivalry that generates enormous revenue, viewership, sponsorship and broadcast value for every ICC tournament. The India versus Pakistan contest is not just another match, it is one of the most commercially powerful fixtures in international sport and the entire financial model of ICC events benefits heavily from its existence. Broadcasters pay premium rights fees largely because of this match-up. Sponsors invest more when these two teams meet. And host countries rely on this game to maximise ticket sales and global engagement. Because of this, the ICC had to handle Pakistan’s stance with far greater caution and diplomacy than it did with Bangladesh, as any harsh action against Pakistan would have directly damaged the tournament’s commercial appeal and credibility. Unlike Bangladesh, Pakistan sits at the centre of the most profitable rivalry in cricket. In truth, all three parties, Pakistan, India and the ICC, ultimately wanted this match to go ahead. However, Pakistan ensured that the ICC and BCCI acknowledged the need for fair treatment of all member nations rather than selective enforcement based on power or politics. In the end, this episode became a win-win situation. Bangladesh secured a future ICC hosting opportunity without any penalties, while Pakistan demonstrated leadership, solidarity and moral courage. More importantly, Pakistan proved that it is not merely a participant in world cricket but a nation willing to challenge the system when fairness is at stake. This was not just about a single match. It was about respect, equity and the balance of power in international cricket. And on that front, Pakistan emerged with its reputation not only intact but strengthened. The writer is a cricket correspondent and @abubakartarar Published in Dawn, EOS, February 15th, 2026

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam was dropped from the squad for a One-Day International series against Bangladesh, despite scoring a century in his last ODI series. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-man squad on Wednesday that excluded Babar who made an unbeaten 102 against Sri Lanka in November. He endured a torrid time at the Twenty20 World Cup, however, managing just 91 runs across four innings as Pakistan exited at the Super Eight stage. Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah A...

A reliable source said that appropriate action is being considered by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the wake of the team's exit from the Super Eight stage of the event

India's National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Pollution Control Board (PCB) to assess environmental compensation from those responsible for polluting the Kadambrayar river, based on the 'polluter pays principle'.

Later this month, Spain and Argentina are due to face off in the latest instalment of La Finalissima, which is due to take place in Qatar.

Pakistan's T20 captain Salman Ali Agha is set to be removed following the World Cup, irrespective of the team's performance. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is reportedly unhappy with the campaign's trajectory. Senior players, including Babar Azam, may also see their T20 international careers conclude after the tournament.

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Member Secretary M Devender Singh has been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings. The suspension follows allegations by Environment Minister Pankaja Munde that the IAS officer failed to attend ministerial briefings. BJP MLA Sudhir Mungatiwar strongly condemned the officer's alleged insubordination, calling it a 'murder of democracy'.

Thailand has emerged as the leading Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing hub in ASEAN and aims to be among the global top five.

Manoj Tiwary criticised PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, saying a lack of clarity and freedom may be causing tension between Pakistan’s coach and captain after Salman Agha’s bottle-throwing incident. He claimed it showed a trust deficit in the team setup. However, coach Mike Hesson dismissed rift rumours, saying Agha was frustrated with his own dismissal and the discussion was about batting plans, not an argument.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has pledged to protect the dignity of Pakistan hockey players after they accused the Pakistan Hockey Federation of abandoning them during a tour of Australia.

Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly cautioned all-rounder Shadab Khan over his sharp remarks towards former players. Following a match-winning performance, Shadab questioned the achievements of ex-cricketers, prompting a stern warning from team management. The PCB emphasized respect for all former greats, including his father-in-law Saqlain Mushtaq, and has directed players to maintain decorum in public statements.

Shoaib Akhtar's sharp criticism of PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi took a U-turn, with the former pacer claiming his remarks were misconstrued. Akhtar insisted his 'incompetent and illiterate' comments targeted broader administration issues, not Naqvi personally. He expressed frustration over the India boycott stance flip-flop, while also critiquing player selections and Pakistan's overall cricketing approach.

India beat Pakistan by 61 runs to qualify for the T20 World Cup Super 8s, with Ishan Kishan’s 77 powering them to 175/7 before Pakistan were bowled out for 114. Suryakumar Yadav praised Kishan and said batting first was the right call. Pakistan collapsed early despite Usman Khan’s 44. India now join West Indies in the next round and will face South Africa, one of Zimbabwe or Australia, and West Indies.