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ICC calls emergency meeting after Pakistan boycott India match in T20 World Cup

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ICC calls emergency meeting after Pakistan boycott India match in T20 World Cup


International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Ajay Shah poses for a photo. — ICC website/File 
  • ICC meeting may discuss imposing heavy fines on PCB: sources.
  • ICC earlier said it was awaiting formal communication from PCB.
  • Pak-India group match scheduled to be played on Feb 15. 

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has convened a virtual emergency board meeting today after the Pakistani government announced that the Green Shirts will participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup but boycott the February 15 match against India.

The group-stage clash between the arch-rivals is set to be played on February 15, 2026, in Sri Lanka.

The decision to boycott the match was declared by the government of Pakistan through its official social media channel on Sunday.

The announcement followed a conclusive meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The government’s statement explicitly granted the national team approval to participate in the tournament while simultaneously forbidding it from taking the field against India.

This move is perceived as a direct attempt to financially pressure the ICC, which PCB chief recently accused of applying “double standards” and operating under the influence of the Indian cricket board.

The International Cricket Council has confirmed it awaits formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding this decision.

In a preliminary response, the global governing body expressed serious dismay, stating that selective participation contradicts the fundamental principle of a world sporting event. The ICC warned that such an action damages the spirit of the competition itself.

While recognising the prerogative of national governments, the ICC publicly urged the PCB to reconsider, arguing that the decision harms the sport and its global fanbase.

The council encouraged the Pakistani board to pursue a mutually acceptable solution that protects the interests of all stakeholders in the game.

The ICC board is now compelled to determine the tournament’s integrity and address a clear breach of its playing agreements, which require teams to fulfil all scheduled fixtures.

Informed sources indicate the meeting will deliberate on imposing significant sanctions against Pakistan.

These potential measures include imposing heavy financial fines on the PCB and enforcing a possible ban from subsequent ICC tournaments.

Additional consequences could involve restricting Pakistan’s bilateral series engagements with other top cricketing nations and placing limitations on foreign player involvement in the Pakistan Super League.

The PCB may also be held financially liable for compensating broadcasters and other commercial partners for losses resulting from the boycotted match.

The backdrop to this crisis includes recent PCB dissatisfaction with ICC decisions, notably the late replacement of Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament schedule. 





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Virginia’s Anna Moesch wins 1st career NCAA individual title

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Virginia’s Anna Moesch wins 1st career NCAA individual title


ATLANTA — Anna Moesch won the first NCAA individual title of her career in the 200-yard freestyle on Thursday night at the women’s swimming and diving championships to help Virginia add to its team lead.

Moesch’s time of 1:39.23 marked the second fastest performance in the event, just shy of Missy Franklin’s 11-year-old record.

Moesch also helped Virginia claim a third relay title in the competition with a 1:24.11 in the 200 freestyle. It was the fifth straight year Virginia won the event.

Virginia sits in first place with 249 points heading into the third day of the four-day competition. Texas is second with 183 points and Stanford third with 173.

Olympic gold medalist Torri Huske clocked a 48.49 to win the 100 butterfly for her third career national title. Huske edged Virginia’s Claire Curzan after finishing second last season. The top three swimmers finished under 50 seconds, with Huske’s Stanford teammate, Gigi Johnson, coming in fourth.

Bella Sims led wire-to-wire in the 400 IM for Michigan’s first individual NCAA title since Maggie MacNeil in 2021. It was also the first gold in the event by a Wolverine since Mindy Gehrs in 1993.

NC State’s Eneli Jefimova took the 100 breaststroke with the fastest time in program history.

Senior diver Chiara Pellacani defended her one-meter national title for Miami. Pellacani became the first diver to win multiple national titles in a Miami career since Brittany Viola (2008, 2011).



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FIFA clears Israeli settlement clubs but fines IFA over breaches

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FIFA clears Israeli settlement clubs but fines IFA over breaches


FIFA said Thursday that it would take no action on formal complaints by the Palestinian soccer federation in 2024 against its Israeli counterpart, including to suspend membership.

FIFA did, however, fine the Israel Football Association 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,000) on disciplinary charges relating to “discrimination and racist abuse,” plus “offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play.”

Palestinian soccer officials have long argued Israel violates FIFA statutes by letting teams from settlements in the West Bank play in the national league.

“FIFA should take no action given that, in the context of the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the FIFA Statutes, the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law,” the soccer body said.

“FIFA can’t solve geopolitical conflicts,” said Infantino, who presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a specially created peace prize at the World Cup draw in December.

“[B]ut we are committed to using the power of football and the FIFA World Cup to build bridges and promote peace as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence of the ongoing wars,” he said.

The disciplinary investigation of Israeli soccer also was opened 18 months ago in response to formal complaints by the Palestinian federation.

One third of the fine must be spent by Israeli officials, FIFA ruled, on “implementation of a comprehensive plan to ensure action against discrimination and to prevent repeated incidents.”

“The plan shall be approved by FIFA and shall focus on the following areas: reforms, protocols, monitoring, and educational campaigns in stadiums and on official channels for an entire season,” FIFA judges decided.

The judges said they “cannot remain indifferent to the broader human context in which football operates” and the sport “must remain a platform for peace, dialogue, and mutual respect.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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TCU backs up its tough talk, bounces Buckeyes in 1st round

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TCU backs up its tough talk, bounces Buckeyes in 1st round


GREENVILLE, S.C. — TCU wasn’t short on confidence for Thursday’s NCAA tournament opener against Ohio State, with forward David Punch setting the stage of the matchup by saying he believed the Horned Frogs would beat the Buckeyes “nine out of 10 times.”

That, forward Xavier Edmonds said, added a bit of pressure on the Horned Frogs to back up Punch’s prediction.

“His words were just a little bit misconstrued and a little twisted,” Edmonds said. “Still, we saw it, and we felt like we had to stand on it.”

Given Ohio State’s raucous comeback from a 15-point halftime deficit, it’s hard to say what might happen if these two played nine more times, but on Thursday, Punch and Edmonds delivered. Punch connected on a nifty pass to Edmonds in the paint with four seconds to go for a go-ahead layup, helping TCU advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament with a 66-64 victory.

TCU was dominant from beyond the arc in the first half, but a brutal shooting performance after the break allowed the Buckeyes to claw back into the game, taking a 51-50 lead with just over seven minutes to play.

With Edmonds in foul trouble, Punch put the Frogs on his back late, however, finishing the game with 16 points, 13 boards and a pair of assists, including the go-ahead dish to Edmonds.

Ohio State had one final shot at the win, but Bruce Thornton couldn’t find an open man near the basket and settled for a half-court heave that fell short.

The win ensured Punch’s boast proved accurate, but TCU wasn’t done delivering a message to Ohio State.

“We just felt like them as a Big Ten team, they just haven’t felt or seen a defense like ours,” said Edmonds, who finished with 16 points and eight boards. “Being in the Big 12, and the different level of physicality and intensity, we just wanted to go out there and show them what Big 12 basketball is about.”



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