Pakistan’s decision to boycott its Twenty20 World Cup match against India has drawn widespread support from fans and administrators who hailed the move as a long-overdue stand in a rivalry in which sport and geopolitics have collided.

Pakistan’s decision has also handed the International Cricket Council (ICC) a delicate dilemma.

The ICC, in its initial response, warned in a statement that the boycott could undermine the credibility of international cricket and carry long-term consequences for the sport.

Should Pakistan stand by its refusal, the ICC has a range of disciplinary options at its disposal, including warnings, imposing fines, stripping hosting rights or, in extreme cases, suspending participation in ICC events.

A full expulsion from the T20 World Cup, however, would be viewed as a last resort.

The ICC typically seeks to avoid such outcomes as they damage the tournament’s commercial value, weaken competition, and disproportionately affect players and supporters rather than administrators.

In most cases, disputes of this nature are addressed through neutral venues, scheduling adjustments or quiet negotiations behind the scenes.

Historically, when teams have declined to tour or play specific opponents, the ICC has leaned on member boards to find a compromise, reserving bans only for clear violations of its regulations or outright refusal to participate in the tournament itself.

Deepens a long freeze

The boycott deepened a long freeze in bilateral cricket between the nuclear-armed neighbours — who have not played a full series since 2012-13 and now meet largely at neutral venues — and dealt a blow to the ICC’s marquee event, with India-Pakistan matches the biggest drivers of global viewership and revenue.

Enough is enough

For many in Pakistan, however, the boycott was less about cricketing issues, with Pakistan forfeiting two points by skipping the match, and more about symbolism.

“Enough is enough,” former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi told Reuters, accusing India’s board of politicising the ICC.

“It’s time to challenge this duplicitous approach by exercising PCB’s options in alliance with Bangladesh.”

The ICC said it was still awaiting an official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) conveying their “position of selective participation”.

“While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” the Dubai-based body said in a statement on Sunday.

The government has not publicly detailed its reasoning, but Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, linked the move to security tensions with India.

“Nothing is more important than the memory of Pakistani citizens and troops murdered by Indian proxy terrorists over the weekend,” Zaidi said.

“With funerals taking place today, this was the least that could be done.”

The remarks followed coordinated attacks by Fitna Al Hindustan militants across Balochistan province over the weekend that killed nearly 50 people.

Pakistan’s World Cup jersey has been branded the “Markhor Edition,” after the national animal, a symbol of resilience also used in military iconography.

Let cricket just be a game

On the streets of Pakistan’s major cities, many cricket fans backed the boycott as a response to what they see as India’s growing arrogance.

“This arrogance of India should be broken a little,” said Mohammad Asghar, a fan in Karachi.

“They should realise someone has come forward to challenge them.”

Others drew parallels with Bangladesh’s earlier withdrawal from the tournament over safety concerns, a move that led to Scotland replacing them.

“If Bangladesh can boycott for one player’s safety, why can’t Pakistan take a stand?” said Ayaz Ahmed.

The decision also sparked heated debate on social media, with users divided between calls for “self-respect” and warnings that skipping the match could further isolate Pakistan in global cricket.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi agreed.

“Cricket can open doors when politics closes them,” he wrote on X.

“It’s regrettable that Pakistan won’t play India, but this is the moment for the ICC to prove it is impartial.”

You never know what will be asked at during Super Bowl media availabilities, but for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, he doesn’t mind a little ranking question regarding his wife, Ann Michael’s, baking.

Maye, who has helped lead the Patriots to the “Big Game” in Santa Clara this week in just his second NFL season, was asked to rank four of his wife’s recipes, which has been talked about throughout the season. Ann Michael shares her recipes on TikTok, some of which going viral during what she called “Bakemas” for the holiday season.

The Patriots’ signal caller already knew what his top choice would be in the kitchen.

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Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots and his wife, Ann Michael Maye, pose for a photo prior to the game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Dec. 1, 2025. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“Cinnamon roll snickerdoodle, she just made those for the O-line this week,” Maye said with a smile. That’s my No. 1.”

After that, he had to give it some thought.

“Puppy chow, I’ll put puppy chow No. 3. Pistachio bread, I think it’s good. I’m not a fan, [so] I’ll put that at four. The crumble copycat sugar cookie? Yeah, put that at No. 2.”

DRAKE MAYE ‘SUPER BOWL’ GUY, FORMER COACH SAYS AS PATRIOTS QB REACHED NFL’S BIGGEST STAGE

With nerves and anticipation high for everyone on the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks entering this week, questions like these perhaps make things lighter.

And for the Patriots, it’s always good to have some fresh baked goods as a nice treat before the Super Bowl. Remember Donna Kelce bringing some homemade cookies for her boys, Jason and Travis Kelce, before they faced off in the Super Bowl a few years back?

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) reacts after the New England Patriots defeat the Denver Broncos in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Jan. 25, 2026. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)

Maye has spoken on Ann Michael’s TikTok’s in the past, calling her a “superstar” with over 200,000 followers.

“(She’s) in her little journey doing ‘Bakemas’ right now. I get to do the good part of trying all her stuff she bakes. I try to bring some leftovers into the building,” Maye told “WEEI Afternoons.”

“She’s been a big addition for me being up here and living with me.”

Maye loves talking about his wife’s baking, but he knows this is still a business trip to the west coast this week. The Patriots have enjoyed a quick turnaround under new head coach Mike Vrabel, winning the AFC East and three playoff games on the way to the Super Bowl.

Maye, though, hasn’t been his usual, consistent self on the gridiron, which we saw all season long on his way to being an MVP candidate. He hasn’t completed more than 59% of his pass in any of his three games, though he has thrown four touchdowns to two interceptions.

Drake Maye of the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on Feb. 2, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots and wife Ann Michael Maye hug after the AFC Championship Playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images)

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Against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, Maye threw for just 86 yards, though the snowy weather played a large factor in that.

With perfect weather expected in the Bay Area on Sunday night, Maye should have the right conditions to get back in the saddle and try his luck against the Seahawks’ top-rated defense this season.

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LONDON — Manchester City suffered a major blow to their Premier League title hopes as Dominic Solanke‘s scorpion kick helped Tottenham Hotspur fight back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw on Sunday.

Rayan Cherki gave City a 10th-minute lead before Antoine Semenyo doubled their advantage a minute before the break as Spurs lost possession twice cheaply in their own half.

Spurs looked shorn of confidence in the opening period but were transformed after the break as Solanke bundled the ball home at 53 minutes. Tottenham went forward in search of an equalizer and it came in the most spectacular fashion as Conor Gallagher‘s right-wing cross flew behind Solanke but he flicked out his right boot and looped the ball brilliantly over City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City manager Pep Guardiola added Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush late as they searched for a game-winner but Spurs came closest with Donnarumma denying attempts from Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons.

The result leaves Man City six points behind leaders Arsenal after the Gunners comfortably beat Leeds United on Saturday. — James Olley

Man City’s title hopes slip further in another surprise twist

Another weekend, another momentum shift.

First it was Man City’s defeat at Manchester United. Then it was City’s win over Wolves alongside Arsenal’s home defeat to United. This weekend, it was Arsenal comfortably navigating a tricky trip to Leeds United and City slipping up at Tottenham.

The bottom line is that Arsenal have extended their lead at the top to six points and the momentum is back with Mikel Arteta’s side. After leading 2-0 at halftime, City’s draw at Spurs will seem like a massive missed opportunity for Guardiola.

If things go as expected for City against Newcastle on Wednesday, there will be a Carabao Cup final to look forward to in March. But City’s next Premier League game is against Liverpool at Anfield; Arsenal face Sunderland at home 24 hours earlier.

It has been an unpredictable season, but this coming weekend already seems like the time when Arsenal could be nine points clear by Sunday night.

Guardiola has never been one to make grand trophy predictions during the first half of a season. He only ever says that he wants his team “to be there” when the run-in begins. They’re just about clinging on, but it’s beginning to reach the stage of a season where a big gap becomes unmanageable. — Rob Dawson

Under-fire Frank can thank Solanke for easing pressure on Spurs coach

Perhaps Spurs manager Thomas Frank’s chief excuse for their disappointing recent form has been a wretched injury list, which again totaled 11 players. He might well wonder how different things would be had he not lost Solanke for more than four months with an ankle injury.

This was only Solanke’s sixth appearance since returning — and only his third start — but he provided a cutting edge no other striker at the club can currently match. Following on from vital strikes against Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt, Solanke now has four goals in those six matches and the second one was a moment of pure inspiration.

There is little doubt that Spurs are struggling for attacking fluidity right now. It is a consistent criticism of Frank that the soccer they are producing under his management is so underwhelming.

What a boost it is for a beleaguered manager, then, that Solanke is able to add this sort of potency to a misfiring attack. Frank remains firmly under pressure but this would have been far worse had it not been for the England international leading Spurs’ comeback from a two-goal deficit. — Olley

Man City’s lingering defensive holes exposed by Tottenham

Signing Marc Guéhi midway through the season was a coup for Manchester City — but it hasn’t solved everything.

Guardiola’s best teams would go up two goals and then squeeze the life out of the game. This version of City seems unable to exert the same level of control.

The momentum shift after halftime was drastic, and City couldn’t cope. Without Donnarumma in goal they would have lost the match. They can’t blame the lapse on Rodri‘s absence either, although the former Ballon d’Or winner is clearly still learning what his body can and can’t do after suffering a serious knee injury.

From City’s point of view, both Tottenham goals were avoidable. Solanke’s second was a wonderfully creative finish, but Nico González — freshly on as a substitute — won’t want to see a replay of his role in the buildup.

You could argue this has been coming. City kept clean sheets against Wolves and Galatasaray last week, but both teams had good spells in the second half when they might have scored.

Unlike the other two, Tottenham were able to take advantage of their period on the front foot. — Dawson

Spurs silence doubters with will to try for the win

This fixture inevitably evokes memories of Tottenham’s 2023-24 season when Man City came to town needing a win to stay clear in the title race. Then-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou admitted his surprise at some home fans appearing to be content their side lost that day as it meant north London rivals Arsenal would be denied a first league title since 2004.

The dynamic was different this time — City arrived here seven points behind Arsenal — but it was once again fair to ask how many inside the ground would have been quietly content with a defeat here. There was a notable anodyne atmosphere as a result during a first half City utterly dominated. Boos rang out at halftime but the stadium was more a picture of apathy than anger as the fans watched yet another disappointing home performance.

And yet, the second half could not have been more different. Nobody could question the intent of Spurs’ players, who were unrecognizable in the second half and could have even won it late on.

There is a long way to go in the title race — that game in 2024 came in mid-May — and so this result won’t have felt as decisive to those Spurs fans fearing Arsenal’s big day is coming. But Tottenham could easily have folded here, but instead they fought back — and did their bitterest rivals a precious favor. — Olley

Cherki proving his addition at Man City was right on target

There were doubts about Rayan Cherki when he arrived from Lyon in the summer. There were questions about his attitude and whether he could fit into Guardiola’s system.

It’s only February and most of those have been answered.

You can tell in the way Guardiola interacts with him that he’s a player who delights and frustrates the City boss in equal measure. He has said before that he wants the Frenchman to work harder out of possession and to be as good at the simple things as he is at the tricks and flicks.

What’s not in question, though, is Cherki’s output. He’s one of only five players from Europe’s top five leagues to register more than 10 goals and more than 10 assists since the start of the FIFA Club World Cup. The others are Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, Fermín López and Luis Díaz. It’s not bad company to keep.

Not even a year into his City career, Guardiola will believe he can get much more out of Cherki, but already the £40 million deal to bring him in looks like an absolute steal. — Dawson