LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed interest in hosting Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that the Liton Das-led side would not travel to India due to security concerns.

According to PCB sources, Pakistan’s “ready and fully equipped” venues could be offered as an alternative if Sri Lankan venues are unavailable.

The sources added that Pakistan has successfully hosted major international events in recent years, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women’s Qualifiers 2025.

The PCB is showing interest amid strained relations between the BCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following the removal of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.

The decision coincided with worsening diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India, although no official reason was provided by the IPL or the BCCI for Rahman’s exclusion.

According to PCB sources, Pakistan could easily accommodate Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2025 fixtures, adding that all designated venues in the country are prepared to host matches.

Under the current schedule, Bangladesh are set to play their first three group-stage matches in Kolkata, with their final group match slated for Mumbai. However, the venues became contentious after Rahman’s removal from the KKR squad.

Following the development, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL in the country, while the BCB formally informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) of its decision not to play T20 World Cup matches in India.

The ICC is expected to take the final decision on whether Bangladesh’s matches will be shifted to an alternative host nation.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Former Michigan State and NBA player Paul Davis apologized for verbally abusing an official at the Breslin Center and being removed from his seat during the 12th-ranked Spartans’ 80-51 victory over USC on Monday.

Davis addressed his actions with reporters and expressed remorse Tuesday, less than 24 hours after an official pointed him out and asked for him to be escorted from his seat near the court.

“I’m up here to take accountability — to own it,” he told reporters before coach Tom Izzo’s news conference.

Davis said he apologized to official Jeffrey Anderson during a call Tuesday.

“Short conversation, but an amazing conversation,” Davis said. “Amazing guy.”

Davis said he was sorry for being a distraction for Michigan State’s players during their strong start this season and for taking away from USC’s experience. Davis also apologized to Michigan State fans at the game and watching on television, the university, along with parents and kids for not being a role model.

Davis called Izzo several hours after the game and wanted to publicly address his mistake.

“It kind of went global,” said Izzo, who coached Davis when he played for the Spartans 20 years ago.

With six-plus minutes left and the Spartans leading the Trojans 67-46, television cameras showed Izzo shouting across the court at Davis after the officials stopped the game.

“What are you doing?” Izzo screamed.

Izzo said after the game that Davis was one of his favorite guys.

“He’s always calling and doing things, but what he said, he should never say in the world,” Izzo said. “That ticked me off.”

The 41-year-old Davis played for Michigan State from 2002 to 2006 and was a three-year starter. He had career averages of 13.2 points and 7 rebounds, including 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds his senior season.

“You’re a basketball player when you’re here, and you’re an ambassador when you leave,” Davis said.

Davis played in the NBA with the LA Clippers from 2006 to 2009 and the Washington Wizards in 2009-10.

For every Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz, there are hundreds of professional tennis players doing the hard yards on the lower tours, scratching out a living before calling it a day.

Tunisia’s Moez Echargui fits into that category.

This time last year he was ranked just inside the top 500 and earned $2,160 for winning an ITF tournament in Monastir.

Now Echargui stands on the cusp of a career breakthrough – at an age when many journeymen are thinking about what to do once they have hung up their rackets.

A stunning run on the ATP Challenger Tour last year has lifted him to 134th in the world and into the Australian Open qualifying tournament next week, his first taste of life at a Grand Slam.

There remains the task of winning three matches in Melbourne to reach the main draw, but for Echargui, just being in qualifying is a reward for persevering when others might have stopped chasing the dream.

“When I arrived at Melbourne Park to get my accreditation, I was like, ‘Gosh, I’ve made it here,’” Echargui, the highest‑ranked African player in the world, told Reuters by telephone. “Seeing all the signs with AO everywhere, it was an exciting moment. I felt like a little kid.”

The difference from the stages on which he usually plies his trade was striking, said the Milan‑based player, who holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nevada.

“Everything’s made easy for the players. The food is free, the laundry, the transport. There are staff available to help. It actually feels easy to be here.”

It certainly was not an easy journey to get there.

Echargui was close to a top-100 junior, but a combination of injuries and limited funding led him to focus on his studies before deciding to try his luck on the pro ranks in 2017.

He moved to Milan in 2019 to train at the MXP Academy under coach Paolo Moretti, but a serious wrist injury along with knee and hamstring problems left his career in jeopardy.

His career highlight seemed to arrive in 2024 when he qualified for the Paris Olympics via an International Tennis Federation (ITF) place after winning the African Games, earning a first‑round appearance at Roland Garros, where he lost to Britain’s Dan Evans.

What looked like a retirement story instead became a turning point. Like a fine wine, Echargui has improved with age and now, in his 30s, has a chance to establish himself on the ATP Tour.

“At 29 years old, I made the decision to go to Milan. I think a lot of people at that age would say, ‘Maybe I’m at the end of my career,’” he said. “Why go to another country, leave my parents and family?

“But I think I’ve made a good decision. Tough moments, but good moments too.”