The Bangladesh Cricket Board has accepted the ICC’s decision to remove the team from the T20 World Cup 2026. Bangladesh was dropped after refusing to travel to India, citing government security advice. The ICC rejected requests to shift matches to Sri Lanka or change group placement. Scotland has been named as Bangladesh’s replacement. BCB officials said all options were exhausted and no further appeal will be made. The board confirmed it will not seek arbitration or dispute resolution. An ICC security review found no specific threat, but Bangladesh maintained safety concerns for players and staff. The tournament will be held in India and Sri Lanka. (PC: India Today)

Scotland have been confirmed as Bangladesh’s replacement for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and will travel to India immediately. Cricket Scotland said the squad is preparing to arrive soon to adjust to local conditions before the tournament begins on February 7. The ICC invited Scotland after Bangladesh withdrew, citing security concerns. Cricket Scotland accepted the offer in a letter and thanked the ICC for the opportunity. Chief executive Trudy Lindblade said the team had been training for upcoming tours and was ready to compete. Scotland were selected based on ICC rankings and have played in five previous T20 World Cups. (PC: India Today)

The International Cricket Council has warned Pakistan of serious sanctions if it withdraws from the T20 World Cup, sources said. Officials said a boycott would challenge ICC authority and harm global tournaments. Possible penalties include suspension from the Asia Cup, loss of ICC funding, and limits on foreign players in the Pakistan Super League. Bilateral series could also be halted. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan will follow government directions and no final decision has been taken yet. Sources said the PCB is aware that a withdrawal could cause long-term financial damage and isolate Pakistan from international cricket. The warning follows Bangladesh’s recent exit from the tournament over security concerns. (PC: India Today)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of strict sanctions if Pakistan withdraws from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in support of Bangladesh, which recently pulled out after its venue change request was denied. Potential penalties include banning Pakistan from bilateral series, excluding them from the Asia Cup, and blocking No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for foreign players in the Pakistan Super League. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has criticized the ICC for “double standards” in handling Bangladesh’s case and said Pakistan’s participation will be decided by its government. (PC: AP)

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that Pakistan’s involvement in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be decided by the government, following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament for refusing to travel to India over security concerns. Naqvi criticised the ICC for replacing Bangladesh with Scotland, calling it unfair. He emphasized that the PCB supports Bangladesh and will follow the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before confirming Pakistan’s participation. Contingency plans are ready for all possible outcomes, as the cricket board awaits government approval. (PC: PTI)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially removed Bangladesh from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to travel to India for scheduled matches, citing security concerns and rejecting the ICC’s refusal to shift their games abroad. Bangladesh was given a 24-hour ultimatum to confirm participation under the original schedule but failed to comply, leading the ICC to name Scotland as their replacement in Group C. The tournament begins February 7, 2026, with Scotland set to play teams including West Indies, England, Italy and Nepal. This marks a rare pre-event change due to administrative and geopolitical issues impacting international cricket participation. (PC: PTI)

The United States may consider rolling back 25% of the tariffs imposed on India after a decline in its purchases of Russian oil, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. He said the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs in two phases, including a 25% levy linked to India’s oil trade with Russia. Speaking to US media, Bessent said India’s reduced imports of Russian crude have created conditions for easing part of the duties. He added that the tariffs remain in place for now. India has said its energy import decisions are guided by national interest and not external pressure. (PC: India Today)

ICC chairman Jay Shah may consider strict action if Bangladesh does not agree to play its scheduled T20 World Cup matches in India, ICC sources said. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had earlier asked the ICC to shift its matches to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The ICC rejected the request after reviewing independent security assessments. Sources said the assessments found no specific threat to the Bangladesh team or venues in India. Overall risk was rated low to moderate and manageable. BCB president Aminul Islam said Bangladesh will not play its matches in India despite the ICC decision. Bangladesh are scheduled to begin their campaign in Kolkata on February 7. (PC: NDTV)

India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I in Raipur to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Chasing 209, India reached the target in 15.2 overs, the quickest successful chase of a 200-plus total by a full-member team. They broke Pakistan’s earlier record set in 2025. Captain Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten 82 off 37 balls, ending a long run without a fifty. Ishan Kishan struck 76 from 32 balls on his return to the side. Earlier, New Zealand posted 208 for six, led by Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner. (PC: BCCI)

India's badminton campaign at Indonesia Masters ended in disappointment as PV Sindhu lost to top seed Chen Yu Fei 13-21, 17-21 in the quarterfinals. The match turned dramatic when Sindhu received a yellow card followed by a red card for protesting line calls and delaying play while trailing 12-17. Though the red card was overturned after referee intervention, Sindhu briefly rallied to 17-18 but couldn't complete the comeback. Chen dominated with powerful smashes targeting Sindhu's weak areas. Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen also crashed out, losing 18-20, 20-22 to lower-ranked Thai player Panitchapon Teeraratsakul despite strong defensive play, ending India's challenge at the tournament. (PC: X)