Sri Lanka's cricket board on Thursday asked Pakistan to reconsider its decision to boycott their first-round encounter with arch-rival India in the T20 World Cup co-hosted by the island.

Half-centuries from captain Litton Das and Saif Hassan after a three-wicket haul from leg-spinner Rishad Hossain powered Dhumketu XI to a comfortable six-wicket win over Duronto XI in the opening match of the three-team Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.

"It's sad Bangladesh are not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully they will support us," Agha said.

The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to platform the game’s latest trends, where it’s expected that co-hosts and reigning champions India will be at the forefront.

Mustafizur, who previously represented the franchise in 2016 and 2018, will once again wear the Qalandars’ colours. The deal was finalised at PKR 6.44 crore (BDT 2.81 crore approximately).

"Let’s get the politics out of it," Lee, who ended his 13-year international career in 2012, said in 'Mr. Cricket UAE' podcast.

It is the first time any official from either the Pakistan government or the PCB has publicly addressed the reasons for the boycott.

On the field, Pakistan looks settled, sharp and ready. Off the field, however, attention shifted from cricketing form to a decision that could define their campaign.

He added that the ICC has allowed double standards in the past and failed to address such situations.

The game against India A is scheduled for February 15 at 2pm local time, the same day the Pakistan men’s team was originally set to face India in the T20 World Cup before a boycott was announced by the Government of Pakistan.

The Sydney Morning Herald, citing industry sources involved in confidential negotiations, reported that each India-Pakistan game carries an estimated value of around USD 250 million, given its billion-plus global audience.

Bangladesh’s decision not to play its 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches in India has raised serious concerns about India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, according to a report from The Guardian.

Bangladesh drew a perfect conclusion to their spotless campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers 2026, defeating the Netherlands by seven wickets in their final Super Six match on Sunday at the Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu, their seventh victory in as many outings in the competition.

The ICC and the World Cricketers Association (WCA) are locked in a fresh dispute over player terms, including name, image and likeness (NIL) rights, ahead of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, reports ESPNCricinfo.

Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup after failing to recover fully from a lingering back injury.

England white-ball captain Harry Brook said on Friday he lied that he was alone in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand late last year to protect his teammates and that he is learning from that incident.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has categorically denied social media claims that its president Aminul Islam Bulbul is under investigation by the chair of BCB’s Integrity Unit Alex Marshall and has filed a General Diary with the Mirpur Police Station over the matter.

The Bangladesh Premier League’s (BPL’s) chronic non-payment issue has re-emerged after the end of the 12th edition with its governing council already having sent a letter to all franchises to clear all outstanding dues.

Molineux, 28, will captain Australia in the three T20 internationals against India, with Healy skippering the side for the three ODIs and the sole Test.

The captain confirmed it was a tribute to Austin but insisted the celebration was simply about "celebrating tonight with the boys" as England clinched the ODI series 2-1.