KARACHI: Pacer Haris Rauf is likely to be dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 set to be held from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka, sources said on Tuesday.

Rauf, who last represented Pakistan in the 20-over format at the Asia Cup 2025 final against India, will not be included in the 15-member team, sources said.

They add that coach Mike Hesson is not in favour of Rauf’s inclusion following the Asia Cup final against India in September 2025, where the right-arm pacer conceded 50 runs in 3.4 overs without taking any wicket.

The Green Shirts had lost the match with India successfully chasing down the 147-run target in 19.4 overs at the loss of five wickets to be crowned champions.

Rauf, who has taken most wickets in T20Is by dismissing 133 batters in 94 matches, is currently playing the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, where he’s representing Melbourne Stars.

Last week, Geo News reported that the consultations for Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and the upcoming home T20I series against Australia.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already submitted a preliminary list of players to the ICC for the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

However, it is understood that the PCB can make changes to the submitted list without ICC approval until January 31.

Sources say the probable players include captain Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed.

Other players under consideration are Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay, while Abdul Samad, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Usman Tariq are likely to be named among the reserve players.

Pakistan have been drawn in Group A alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia and will play all of its matches in Sri Lanka.

The national side will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo.

They will face the USA on February 10, followed by clashes against arch-rivals India on February 15 and Namibia on February 18 in their final group-stage match.

The Men in Green will be playing all of their matches in Sri Lanka, starting with four Group A fixtures in Colombo, while Super Eight matches are scheduled to be held in Colombo and Kandy.

Miami Hurricanes star running back Mark Fletcher Jr. was spotted throwing a punch at an Indiana Hoosiers player following the close national championship game on Monday night.

The ESPN broadcast caught Fletcher walking off the field when he and Hoosiers defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker exchanged words. Fletcher stepped forward, took a swing at Tucker and had to be held back from escalating the situation further.

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Mark Fletcher Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes runs for touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

It’s unclear what was said between the two players, but it was a sour end for the Hurricanes star who had a phenomenal game.

Fletcher had two touchdowns in the 27-21 loss. He scored when Miami needed it badly to start the second half. The Hurricanes only needed two plays as Fletcher scampered for a 57-yard touchdown run to get his team on the board. He had a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter that cut their deficit to just three points.

INDIANA’S FERNANDO MENDOZA REFLECTS ON INCREDIBLE DIVING TD: ‘I’D DIE FOR MY TEAM’

Tyrique Tucker #95 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida.  (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Tyrique Tucker of the Indiana Hoosiers warms up before the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Miami (FL) Hurricanes and the Indiana Hoosiers at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/ISI Photos)

The Hurricanes couldn’t get past the Hoosiers in the latter moments of the game. Fernando Mendoza’s diving touchdown gave Indiana a 10-point lead with about 9:18 left in the game.

Miami quarterback Carson Beck had a chance to lead the team on a game-winning drive, but he threw a game-sealing interception.

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Fletcher ran for 112 yards on 17 carries along with his two scores, but the fight at the end of the game may mar the incredible performance he delivered.

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Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League as title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa slipped up.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank could be facing the sack after another dismal loss, while Liverpool’s spluttering form continued.

AFP Sport looks at three talking points from the weekend’s action:

Arsenal retain upper hand

As Arsenal digested their 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the over-riding emotion was frustration at failing to take full advantage of Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester United earlier in the afternoon.

But just 24 hours later, Mikel Arteta’s side were feeling a lot more upbeat about their title charge thanks to Aston Villa’s surprise 1-0 home loss against Everton.

Third-placed Villa could have closed to within four points of Arsenal with a victory but instead they sit seven points adrift.

Successive goalless stalemates against Liverpool and Forest in the league have underlined Arsenal’s occasional Achilles heel in attack.

But Gunners winger Noni Madueke is not concerned.

“We weren’t clinical enough in front of goal. There is a long way to go. We know that we’ve been very consistent and we’ll continue to do so,” he said.

City, in second place following four league games without a win, are also seven points behind the leaders after losing to United in Michael Carrick’s first game as boss.

“We dropped many points in the last games but we are going to fight until the end,” City midfielder Rodri said.

Frank on the brink

Barraged by calls for his sacking from furious fans, Thomas Frank insisted he feels “trust from everyone”, but the Tottenham manager’s faith may prove misguided.

Reports on Sunday said that Tottenham’s hierarchy had met to discuss Frank’s future in the aftermath of Saturday’s dismal 2-1 home defeat against struggling West Ham.

Tottenham’s third successive defeat and eighth loss in 14 matches left them languishing in 14th place.

Already out of both domestic cups, the north Londoners are in crisis just months after Frank was hired to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou.

The former Brentford boss has irritated Tottenham supporters with his prosaic tactics and their miserable results have pushed him to the brink.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero called for unity after giving an acerbic verdict on the turmoil.

“It is difficult and also a disaster moment for us, but especially in this moment, we need silence. Back in training, work hard every day and stay together,” he said.

Van Dijk ready for Liverpool summit

Virgil van Dijk plans to hold a players’ meeting on Monday to address the issues that threaten to derail Liverpool’s bid for Champions League qualification.

Van Dijk was angry at the sloppiness which allowed lowly Burnley to equalise in the 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday.

It was the first time that Liverpool had drawn four successive league matches since 2008.

And for the second time this season, Reds captain Van Dijk is asking questions of the players, as he did after defeat to Manchester United in October in the middle of a run of nine defeats in 12 matches.

“I’m frustrated that after 60 minutes we started to become sloppy and it’s not the first time,” he said.

“It’s been spoken about already but we have to address it again apparently and Monday will be a big one for it.

“It’s not about me addressing it, it is about how can we solve it because we all want to win games.”

Liverpool were jeered by fans after a result that left them in fourth place and Van Dijk added: “I don’t like boos from my own fans.”