NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday all but confirmed its non-participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup as it stood by its decision not to travel to India for the tournament.“We want to play the World Cup, but we won’t play in India,” BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul said. He also questioned the conduct of the ICC Board meeting held earlier this week. “We will keep fighting. There were some shocking calls in the ICC Board Meeting. The Mustafizur issue is not an isolated single issue. They (India) were the sole decision makers in that issue,” he added.In a strong statement, Islam further said, “ICC had denied us our request to shift our matches away from India. We are not sure about the status of world cricket. Its popularity is going down. They have locked away 200 million people. Cricket is going to the Olympics, but if a country like us is not going there, it is ICC’s failure.”The BCB’s decision comes a day after ICC on Wednesday rejected the request from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to shift its team’s T20 World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka, saying the matches will proceed as scheduled since there was no credible threat to the safety of Bangladesh players, officials or fans at any of the tournament venues in India.The decision was taken at an ICC Board meeting held via video conference, which was convened to discuss the situation after the BCB raised concerns and sought a change in venues.The ICC gave BCB one more day to reflect and take a final position.The crisis was triggered by the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ roster for this year’s Indian Premier League on BCCI’s instructions for unspecified “developments all around”.Citing security concerns and national pride, the BCB responded by announcing its national team won’t travel to India for its T20 World Cup group stage games in Kolkata and Mumbai.BCB wanted to play each of the four group stage matches in Sri Lanka, where the marquee India-Pakistan clash will also be held as per the mutually agreed arrangement for ICC events until 2027.In their last meeting with ICC officials in Dhaka, the BCB had proposed swapping positions with Ireland in Group B, which features tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe. Such a move would allow Bangladesh to remain in Sri Lanka for their group engagements.

The cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan has found a fresh flashpoint, and this time, it isn’t on the pitch. Ahead of Australia‘s highly anticipated T20I tour of Pakistan in 2026, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a promotional video that has set social media ablaze. What was intended to be a showcase of traditional hospitality quickly turned into a viral controversy as fans spotted a cheeky reference to India’s recent “no-handshake” policy during the 2025 Asia Cup.

As both teams prepare for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, this off-field banter has added a layer of intensity to the series, proving that the neighbourly tension remains as high as ever in the cricketing world.

Fans mock PCB’s cheeky handshake dig at India

The promotional clip released by the PCB features an Australian tourist exploring the vibrant streets of Pakistan, experiencing the country’s renowned hospitality. In one scene, Pakistan’s T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, is seen paying for the tourist’s dinner, warmly stating, “Mehman ho ji aap hamaare”.

However, the real controversy erupted during a scene involving a local taxi driver. As the tourist prepares to leave the cab, the driver calls him back with a pointed remark: “Mate, handshake bhool gaye aap! Lagta hai padosiyon ke paas bhi ruke the” (Mate, you forgot to shake hands! Looks like you stayed with the neighbors as well). This is a direct jab at the Indian team’s stance during the 2025 Asia Cup, where Indian players reportedly avoided handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts following heightened geopolitical tensions and security concerns.

The dig did not go unnoticed. Indian fans quickly flooded social media, mocking the PCB for “living in the past” and using India’s name to gain traction for a bilateral series that doesn’t even involve the Men in Blue.

Also READ: Pakistan suspends 2026 T20 World Cup preparations to show solidarity with Bangladesh

Here’s how fans reacted:

So, let me get this straight. This is an ad for a series between Pakistan and Australia.

India is not playing. India is not touring. India is nowhere near the venue. Yet, the punchline of your entire promo is about us?

​1. The “Obsession” is Real
As an Indian fan, the first… https://t.co/vAe5y8yiH4

— Kartik Kannan (@kartik_kannan) January 22, 2026

Reel vs Reality https://t.co/JSRfI3aDWF pic.twitter.com/cZeXr28Ygm

— JoyBoy.kt 🏏 (@TweetECricket) January 21, 2026

Khud ke series ke promotion ke liye bhi #India ka naam lena pada… kya gareebi hai#Pakistan https://t.co/TihY5jQfG5

— Jatin Sharma (@jatincricket) January 21, 2026

India lives rent free in their empty minds. https://t.co/4JXFX1cfZe

— Kàran (@karanXtwt) January 22, 2026

Even the third quality promotion of a cricket bilateral has to feature India to make it entertaining. https://t.co/ezMUS9z6Ed

— Wokeflix (@wokeflix) January 21, 2026

My favourite part of this promo is the Kebabs. https://t.co/4aUBXSPRip

— KASHISH (@crickashish217) January 22, 2026

By not doing the handshake, the BCCI has given such a big shock that the PCB and Hagga ji are still crying.😭🐷😭

– Hagga ji 15 wala match Chahiye , Hagga ji USA wala match chahiye 🐷😭😂#BangladeshCricket #INDvNZ #PakistanCricket https://t.co/A5bxTA9v8A

— 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐡. (@CrickRitesh_18) January 21, 2026

Teen din ki series kay liye itni marketing https://t.co/oX16UFyrnx

— John Doe (@wellandtruly) January 21, 2026

Handshake se itni g jali hai ki sapne mein bhi vhi dikhta hoga https://t.co/Jd5PZqMLxN

— Uma⚡ (@mahicoholic7) January 21, 2026

Their obsession with us for a series we are not even playing 😂 https://t.co/tz0LX0DfTR

— Bharat Army (@BhartArmy) January 22, 2026

Australia to tour Pakistan for a three match T20I series

This three-match T20I series serves as the final dress rehearsal for both nations before they head to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, hosted by India and Sri Lanka. All matches are scheduled to be played under the lights at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The Australian side, led by Mitchell Marsh, will be missing several key pillars. Stars like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Glenn Maxwell have stayed back to manage workloads or recover from injuries. This has opened the door for fresh talent, including Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards, to prove their mettle in subcontinental conditions. For Pakistan, the series is a chance for Agha to solidify his leadership and for the squad to find their rhythm before their World Cup opener in Sri Lanka.

Also READ: Marvel’s Eternals actor Kumail Nanjiani discusses the main challenge Pakistan faces ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of the death of a 27-year-old software engineer who drowned after his SUV fell into a waterlogged trench at a commercial site in Greater Noida. The tribunal observed that the incident indicates serious environmental violations and regulatory lapses.The tribunal also highlighted that the land where the accident occurred had originally been allotted for a private mall project but, over the years, had turned into a pond due to unchecked accumulation of rainwater and discharge of wastewater from nearby housing societies, news agency ANI reported.Taking note of a media report on the incident, the NGT said that the transformation of the commercial plot into a waterbody raised questions over land-use violations, environmental degradation and the failure of authorities to prevent hazardous conditions at the site.The case relates to the death of Yuvraj Mehta, a software engineer and resident of Sector 150, Greater Noida, whose car plunged into a nearly 30-foot-deep, water-filled pit near ATS Le Grandiose in the early hours of January 17 amid dense fog and poor visibility.According to the post-mortem report, Mehta died due to asphyxiation and cardiac failure. Trapped in the icy water, he struggled to survive for nearly 90 minutes. He managed to climb onto the roof of his sinking vehicle, flashed his mobile phone’s torch repeatedly and called his father in a desperate attempt to seek help.Rescue operations involving the police, fire brigade, SDRF and NDRF were launched but were severely hampered by near-zero visibility, deep water and inadequate equipment. A delivery worker who reached the spot jumped into the trench in an attempt to save Mehta but was unable to locate him. His body was recovered around 4.30 am.An FIR has been registered against the builders responsible for the open pit, citing serious negligence, including the absence of barricading, fencing and reflectors at the accident-prone turn. Show-cause notices have also been issued to officials responsible for traffic management in the area.In a significant development, the director of Wiztown Planners, Abhay Kumar, was arrested on Tuesday. Police said the commercial plot where the trench existed was in the possession of the company. Kumar has been booked under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing death by negligence, and acts endangering human life.Following public outrage and protests by residents, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the incident. The Noida Authority’s CEO was removed, and inspections of construction-site safety measures were ordered.The SIT has begun recording statements of officials, developers and eyewitnesses and is examining the role of civic agencies, road safety arrangements and compliance with construction and environmental norms.Residents have alleged that repeated warnings about the dangerous condition of the site were ignored. Barricades were installed only after protests and a candle march demanding justice for Mehta.

With no takers for its first tender, the AIFF is scrambling to find a broadcaster for ISL 2025–26.

New Delhi: Last week, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) tender looking for a broadcast partner for the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season. This was the second time in six months that the AIFF had issued such a document as the first version, released in October 2025, demanded an annual minimum guarantee of Rs 37.5 crore. For a variety of reasons, that didn’t find any takers.Ever since, Indian football is in a free fall.

AIFF’s deal with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which had started the ISL in 2014, expired on December 8, 2025. Between AIFF Constitutional changes, court visits, lack of commercial partners and eventual intervention by the Sports Ministry, ISL has taken a massive hit to its credibility, even if it now has a start date in February 14.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The fixtures for ISL 2025-26, which have been tucked away in the draft folder for days due to home venues being in shambles, add to the challenge for any prospective broadcast bidder(s).With 91 matches to be played in the upcoming truncated season in a single leg home-and-away format, this race against time only gets trickier with each passing day. The fact that AIFF have not officially appointed an agency to oversee the broadcast bids process doesn’t bode well either.In 2021, the BCCI brought in audit, tax and financial advisory consultants KPMG to advise them on the media rights sale for the IPL. The objective was clear: earn ‘top dollar.’ It resulted in media rights for the IPL going at Rs 48,390.32 crore over five years – a 100 percent jump in value per match.AIFF, which has hardly showcased its competence in the past few months, is alone in this regard. Before FSDL stepped away, the ISL had a broadcast deal worth Rs 550 crore over two seasons with games showcased on linear TV and OTT. At first, ISL matches were broadcast on the Star Sports Network before moving to the Viacom18-owned Sports18/JioCinema.The Rs 275 crore-a-year deal was reportedly a 37.5 percent increase on what Star India, who had a majority stake in the ISL, had been paying in the first 10 years of the competition.This Rs 275 crore funded things such as match production, league marketing, revenue for the clubs and fixed payments to the federation. Despite this, FSDL posted losses of Rs 14.34 crore in FY23, Rs 46.3 crore in FY22, Rs 13.7 crore in FY21 and Rs 27 crore in FY20. The league only turned profitable when operations were scaled down, posting a net profit of Rs 45.2 crore in FY24.

AIFF have no bargaining power

Now, in this post-FSDL era, AIFF and, by extension, the ISL clubs have little room to negotiate with any potential bidders. With the ISL set to be played in multiple cities, it adds to the costs involved with only Rs 9.77 crore budgeted for Production and Transmission. In the past, it hovered around Rs 70 crores.It means the quality output of the broadcast will be lower. Instead of multi-camera setups in different parts of the ground, one can expect 3-4 cameras, similar to the I-League coverage where equipment is placed at a high vantage point, behind the goal and near the half-way line.An ISL club official, who spoke to TimesofIndia.com on the condition of anonymity, said that organising the league in multiple cities could dissuade potential bidders. He also reminded that options are limited anyway, as February-March is also the period for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which JioStar will broadcast.The logic is simple: higher viewership means higher sponsorship for clubs and with an inferior product, that Rs 5-6 crore piece of the puzzle is going to take a hit. All clubs are braced for another year of red in their balance sheet. Even though many will cut costs operationally and have reduced player wages, the losses are expected to be three times the normal in the absence of commercial revenue.

Time for recalibration

Like other aspects of the ISL including franchise fees and player salaries, the broadcast rights value also needs to be recalibrated for a healthier future. While this upcoming season can largely be logged as a stop-gap solution-finding exercise, the exercise towards an economically viable product needs to begin now. As ICC and BCCI have found out, mindless pricing of broadcast deals will drive away smaller players in the streaming space. And unlike sports like cricket and kabaddi – whose audience still consumes coverage on linear TV – football’s young viewership exists on OTT.Subsequently, if players stay away due to pricing, it will further dwindle AIFF’s options. Among the major broadcast players – on linear TV and digital – there are few options outside of JioStar and Sony Sports Network.

What does the current RFP say?

AIFF’s RFP for media rights of the ISL is a 39-page document that lays down the detailed eligibility framework for prospective bidders and specifies the timelines for bids to be submitted, examined and assessed.As per the schedule, the AIFF has fixed January 23 for a pre-bid meeting with interested parties, while any written queries or requests for clarification may be addressed by up to January 27.Bids must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm IST on February 1, with each submission accompanied by a security deposit of Rs. 5 lakh.Eligibility conditions require bidders to be broadcasters or internet operators with a minimum of three years’ operational experience.

In addition, bidders must have recorded a net worth of at least Rs. 10 crore in the most recent financial year (2024–25) and an average annual revenue of no less than Rs. 10 crore across the last three completed financial years — 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–25.In the case of consortium bids, a maximum of three entities may come together under a special purpose vehicle (SPV). One member must be designated as the ‘Lead member’ and hold at least a 51 percent equity stake in the SPV’s paid-up and subscribed share capital.Each bid will be evaluated in two components — Technical and Financial — carrying weightages of 70 percent and 30 percent respectively. The bidder securing the highest overall score will be awarded the rights for the forthcoming season.

NEW DELHI: Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a business imperative for Indian enterprises, moving beyond ethical intent to a strategic priority linked with trust, governance, and long-term value creation, according to Nasscom’s State of Responsible AI in India 2025 report.The report, unveiled at the Responsible Intelligence Confluence in New Delhi, reveals that nearly 60 per cent of organisations confident in scaling AI responsibly have already established mature Responsible AI (RAI) frameworks, highlighting a strong correlation between AI capability and responsible governance practices.Based on a survey of 574 senior executives from large enterprises, startups, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) conducted between October and November 2025, the study indicated a clear year-on-year improvement since 2023. Around 30 per cent of Indian businesses now report mature RAI practices, while 45 per cent are actively implementing formal frameworks, signalling steady ecosystem-wide progress.Large enterprises continue to lead in Responsible AI maturity, with 46 per cent reporting advanced frameworks, compared to 20 per cent among SMEs and 16 per cent among startups. Despite the gap, Nasscom noted growing willingness among smaller firms to adopt and comply with responsible AI norms, reflecting increasing awareness and regulatory readiness across the ecosystem.From an industry perspective, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) leads with 35 per cent maturity, followed by Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) at 31 per cent, and healthcare at 18 per cent. Nearly half of businesses across these sectors are strengthening their RAI frameworks.Sangeeta Gupta, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Nasscom, said responsible AI is now foundational to trust and accountability as AI systems become embedded in critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and public services. She emphasised that businesses must move beyond compliance-led approaches and embed responsibility across the AI lifecycle to build sustainable and inclusive innovation The report highlighted workforce enablement as a major focus area, with nearly 90 per cent of organisations investing in AI sensitisation and training. Companies expressed the highest confidence in meeting data protection obligations.Accountability structures are also evolving. While 48 per cent of organisations place responsibility for AI governance with the C-suite or board, 26 per cent now assign it to departmental heads, and AI ethics boards and committees are gaining traction, particularly among mature organisations, where 65 per cent have established such bodies.Despite progress, significant challenges persist. The most frequently reported AI risks include hallucinations (56 per cent), privacy violations (36 per cent), lack of explainability (35 per cent), and unintended bias or discrimination (29 per cent). Key barriers to effective RAI implementation include lack of high-quality data (43 per cent), regulatory uncertainty (20 per cent), and shortage of skilled personnel (15 per cent).While regulatory uncertainty is a major concern for large enterprises and startups, SMEs cite high implementation costs as a critical constraint.As AI systems grow more autonomous, the report noted that businesses with higher RAI maturity feel better prepared for emerging technologies such as Agentic AI. Nearly half of mature organisations believe their existing frameworks can address these risks; however, industry leaders caution that substantial updates to current frameworks will be required to manage the novel risks posed by autonomous systems.

Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh has urged Sydney Sixers to take a hard, unsentimental look at their playing XI ahead of the BBL|15 Challenger, suggesting that underperforming big names cannot be carried into high-pressure knockout matches. According to Waugh, the Sixers’ batting unit needs a significant reshuffle if they are to keep their title hopes alive, even if it means leaving out a global star like Babar Azam.

Mark Waugh highlights Sydney Sixers’ over-reliance on Steve Smith

Speaking in a video shared by the Big Bash League on X, Waugh pointed out that the Sixers’ batting has been overly dependent on Smith, with very few consistent contributions from the rest of the top order. He stressed that knockout games demand multiple match-winners rather than a single pillar holding the innings together. He also referenced Sam Curran, noting that the English all-rounder had rescued the side on occasions but is no longer available, leaving a clear void in form and balance.

“I think they need a bit of tough love and a rejig in their batting because, right now, it’s almost entirely reliant on Steve Smith. Sam Curran got them out of a tight spot in another game, but he’s gone, and at the moment, there aren’t many players in form. So, I’m looking at bringing in either Daniel Hughes or Jordan Silk,” said Waugh.

Waugh on why Sixers should drop Babar Azam

Waugh’s comments are backed by statistics from Babar’s BBL|15 campaign. The Pakistan batter managed 202 runs from 11 innings, averaging 22.44 with a strike rate of just over 103. In a tournament where quick scoring at the top is often decisive, Waugh believes these numbers fall short of what is required from an overseas opener in crunch matches.

“Unfortunately, I’m going to have to drop Babar Azam. I know he’s world-class, but at the top of the order, he hasn’t delivered consistently enough. When you’re thinking about winning this tournament, you need your openers firing, and so far, he just hasn’t done it,” added Waugh.

Also READ: Beau Webster’s explosive knock powers Hobart Hurricanes to a nail-biting victory over Melbourne Stars in BBL|15 Knockout

Looking ahead to the Challenger, Waugh floated several options to freshen up the Sixers’ batting combination. He suggested promoting skipper Moises Henriques as an opener or drafting in domestic specialists like Daniel Hughes or Jordan Silk, both of whom have proven their worth in Australian conditions.

“For a new opener, you could go with Moises Henriques or bring in either Hughes or Silk. That’s the way I’m thinking,” Waugh explained further.

Babar departs for international duty

In any case, Babar will not feature in the Challenger after being recalled to Pakistan’s national camp. The Sixers confirmed his departure via social media, stating that he had left the tournament due to upcoming international commitments with Pakistan. Sydney Sixers now face Hobart Hurricanes in the Challenger, with the winner earning a place in the final against Perth Scorchers. As the pressure peaks, Waugh’s message is clear: reputation alone cannot guarantee selection when a championship is on the line.

Also WATCH: Babar Azam’s heartwarming reaction after Steve Smith drops Nathan McSweeney’s catch in BBL|15