The International Cricket Council is yet to decide on any action after Pakistan said it will not play India at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Sources said the ICC has not received any official letter from the Pakistan Cricket Board. The decision was announced by the Pakistan government, not the PCB. If Pakistan do not take the field on February 15, the match will be treated as a forfeit. Pakistan would lose points and suffer a net run rate hit. The ICC may consider further sanctions only after formal communication from the PCB. (PC: AP)

India U19 beat Pakistan U19 by 58 runs to enter the semi-finals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Defending 252, India’s spinners dominated and bowled Pakistan out for 194. Captain Ayush Mhatre led from the front, while Kanishk Chouhan impressed and won Player of the Match. Vedant Trivedi scored a steady 68 to anchor India’s innings after early wickets. Pakistan started well but lost control as the pitch slowed and spin took over. With this win, India Under-19 will face Afghanistan in the semi-final. Pakistan Under-19 bowed out of the tournament. (PC: X)

Pakistan has approved its cricket team’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 but said it will not play the scheduled group match against India on February 15 in Colombo. The decision was announced by the Pakistan government. No specific reason was given for skipping the fixture. The move follows controversy after Bangladesh was removed from the tournament over venue concerns. The International Cricket Council said it has not received any formal communication from Pakistan so far. The BCCI also said it is awaiting official confirmation. Under ICC rules, a forfeited match can affect points and net run rate calculations. (PC: India Today)

Carlos Alcaraz won the Australian Open tennis title and completed his Career Grand Slam after defeating Novak Djokovic in the final in Melbourne. The 22-year-old beat the 10-time champion 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena. He became the youngest men’s player to win all four Grand Slam singles titles. The win gives Alcaraz his seventh major crown. Djokovic, 38, was chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title but fell short after taking the first set. Alcaraz raised his baseline game and secured key breaks from the second set onward. Djokovic later congratulated him at the net. (PC: BBC)

Carlos Alcaraz won the Australian Open 2026 tennis title and completed his Career Grand Slam with a four-set victory over Novak Djokovic in the final. Alcaraz beat the 10-time champion 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday. He is now the youngest men’s player in tennis to win all four Grand Slam singles titles. Djokovic was chasing a record-extending 25th major crown but could not hold his early lead. Alcaraz raised his level after the first set and took control of long rallies. He secured a late break in the fourth set and served out the match. (PC: India Today)

Elena Rybakina claimed the 2026 Australian Open women’s singles title, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a dramatic final at Melbourne Park. Rybakina fought back after losing the second set and trailing 3-0 in the decider, winning five straight games and sealing victory with an ace. The fifth-seeded Kazakh earned her first Australian Open title and second Grand Slam overall, avenging her 2023 final loss to Sabalenka. Sabalenka, seeking a third Melbourne crown, congratulated her opponent after the match. (PC: AP)

Novak Djokovic advanced to his 39th Grand Slam final after defeating defending champion Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a four-hour, nine-minute thriller at Rod Laver Arena. The 37-year-old became the oldest man in Open Era to reach Melbourne's final, where he's already won 10 titles. Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz, who survived a five-setter against Alexander Zverev. Joking about Alcaraz's delayed semifinal, Djokovic quipped, "I'm an old man. I need to go earlier to sleep." Seeking his record 25th Grand Slam to surpass Margaret Court, Djokovic said, "I just hope I have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him. Let God decide the winner!" (PC: HT)

Pakistan Cricket Board awaits government approval for T20 World Cup 2026 participation following ICC's removal of Bangladesh as host. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss potential boycott options, including skipping the India match. However, former cricketer Rashid Latif criticized Pakistan's delayed response, stating "the time for a strike has passed." Latif argued Pakistan should have withdrawn immediately when Bangladesh lost hosting rights, suggesting last week's ICC meeting was the optimal moment. While acknowledging government authority over the decision, Latif proposed Pakistan could still refuse playing India, even in a potential final. The PCB will announce its final decision this Friday or next Monday. (PC: NDTV)

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s verified Instagram account, followed by over 270 million users, became active again after briefly disappearing overnight on January 30. The sudden absence of the account led to widespread speculation and concern among fans, with many questioning whether it had been deactivated or suspended. Social media platforms were flooded with discussions, and some fans even sought clarification from Kohli’s wife, actor Anushka Sharma. However, no official statement was issued by Kohli or his team. The account’s reappearance on January 31 brought relief to followers, though the reason behind the temporary disappearance remains unclear. (PC: AP)

Pakistan is considering forfeiting its T20 World Cup 2026 group match against India, according to media reports. The Pakistan Cricket Board has discussed the option of skipping the February 15 fixture in Colombo to show solidarity with Bangladesh. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the proposal and its possible effects. A source was quoted as saying, “A total boycott is not the priority, but Pakistan could forfeit the India match.” The report added that the PCB may present the move as a government directive, arguing this would protect it from ICC sanctions linked to political interference. (PC: NDTV)