NEW DELHI: Former ICC head of communications Sami-ul-Hasan Burney has criticised the BCCI’s handling of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s exit from the Indian Premier League, saying the Indian board could have prevented the current T20 World Cup turmoil with a more measured approach.Rahman’s release from his Kolkata Knight Riders contract set off a chain reaction that eventually led to Bangladesh withdrawing from the tournament, starting February 7, after citing “security concerns” over travelling to India. In a show of solidarity, Pakistan have since opted to forfeit their February 15 clash against arch-rivals India following government directives.

Burney, who later served as media director of the Pakistan Cricket Board after leaving the ICC, felt the situation escalated unnecessarily because of public communication around Rahman’s removal.“I mean, things could have been easily avoided if the cricket administrators or people responsible for the game had been a little bit more careful and avoided public statements, like a Bangladesh player (Mustafizur) has to be removed from the franchise,” Sami told PTI.“I mean they (the BCCI) didn’t have to say it publicly. They could have easily privately told the franchise (KKR) to release the player and nobody would have known what happened and life would have moved on.“Sometimes you make an error of judgment and make a statement which has implications. So the January 3 announcement became a trigger,” he explained.A former journalist with The Dawn, Burney spent over a decade at the ICC’s Dubai headquarters before joining the PCB last year. He also shed light on the thinking of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.Burney said Naqvi views the ICC’s refusal to move Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka as a case of “shifting of goalposts.”“I refer back to November, 2024, when I was a part of the Pakistan Cricket Board, and I was with Mr Mohsin Naqvi, when that e-mail came in which the ICC said the BCCI has informed them that the Indian government has refused permission to send their team to Pakistan.“Mr. Naqvi believes when a similar situation arose in January (with regards Bangladesh), the same principles were not applied, and that is where he is referring to the double standards.“I think that is what is upsetting Mr. Naqvi and the PCB, because they think goalposts are being changed, or shifted.”On whether Bangladesh’s dispute with India was Pakistan’s battle, Burney said: “We may agree with it, we may disagree with this decision, we may argue…but when the government makes a decision, they are looking at something bigger than what what you and I are seeing.”While the ICC has hinted at possible sanctions, including heavy financial penalties, Burney insisted Pakistan would have weighed all consequences.“I mean, these decisions are not easy decisions to make. They must have spoken to a lot of people, sought the advice from the experts, looked at the legal side.“I am sure an extensive exercise would have taken place before the government of Pakistan made that decision. As regards the sanctions or the losses you are talking about, that one match is costing USD 250 million (everything accounted for not just broadcaster’s loss).“Pakistan’s annual revenue is USD 35.5 million, so there is a big, big difference,” he said.He added that Pakistan have previously weathered financial setbacks from not playing India bilaterally.“…unlike other countries, Pakistan have not hosted India for 20 years in a bilateral series, even though they have toured India twice in 2007 and then 2012-13 for white-ball cricket.“They have not played, I mean, they were playing off-shore for 10 years, 2009 to 2019 not at home, but in the Middle East, or in the UAE, and still managed to win two tournaments, the T20 World Cup in 2009 and 2017 Champions Trophy,” he said.“So, yes, there will be financial implications, but if Pakistan Cricket Board can survive that 20-year period without playing India, they can sustain.”

Ishan Kishan has once again found himself at the centre of Indian cricket conversations, thanks to his impressive return to form and candid reflections on the challenges he faces at the highest level. The explosive left-handed wicketkeeper-batter recently showcased his renewed confidence during India’s white-ball series against New Zealand, where he looked fluent, decisive, and fearless at the crease. After a phase marked by inconsistency and competition for places, Kishan’s performances in New Zealand were seen as a strong statement of intent ahead of a crucial period in his career.

Known for his aggressive stroke play and ability to take the game away from the opposition in the powerplay, Kishan’s comeback couldn’t have come at a better time. With the Indian team management closely monitoring combinations and form ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, the Jharkhand batter’s ability to adapt to different conditions has added to his growing value. Beyond runs, it is Kishan’s mindset and clarity that have stood out, especially as he prepares himself for tougher challenges against world-class bowling attacks.

Ishan Kishan names 2 bowlers he finds most challenging

In a recent appearance on the 2 Sloggers YouTube channel, Kishan offered an honest insight into the bowlers who trouble him the most. Without hesitation, he named one spinner and one fast bowler—both his Indian teammates.

“When it comes to spinners, even Yuzvendra Chahal bhai feels very difficult for me to face. It’s possible that he has analysed me a lot,” Kishan admitted. He explained that facing Yuzvendra Chahal is never straightforward, as the leg-spinner’s variations and deep understanding of a batter’s weaknesses make every delivery a challenge.

When discussing fast bowlers, Kishan reserved special praise for Jasprit Bumrah. “As for pace bowling, who is better than Bumrah bhai?” he said with a smile, before adding a humorous note about mentioning Bumrah too often.

Kishan highlighted how net sessions can sometimes be misleading, with bowlers easing off on familiar batters. Bumrah, however, is an exception. According to Kishan, even a well-timed shot can invite a sharp response.

“If even one ball comes off the middle of the bat by mistake, you know for sure the next one is going to be a bouncer,” he remarked.

Also READ: Fans applaud Ishan Kishan and Arshdeep Singh after India crush New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram T20I to seal series 4-1

Big expectations from Kishan ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, expectations from Kishan are steadily rising. India are likely to rely on fearless batters who can counter both high-quality pace and clever spin, and Kishan’s recent form suggests he is ready for that responsibility. His experience of facing bowlers like Chahal and Bumrah in practice is seen as a major advantage, sharpening his skills against the very best.

As India continue to build towards the tournament, Kishan’s blend of aggression, adaptability, and self-awareness could prove crucial. If his upward curve continues, he may well emerge as one of India’s key match-winners on the biggest stage in 2026.

Also READ: Ishan Kishan reveals his ‘main focus’ after century heroics in 5th T20I against New Zealand

NEW DELHI: Just 17, Anahat Singh is learning how to make big moments look routine. On Sunday in Washington, she delivered the biggest result of her young career with the calm of someone who seems to know exactly where she is headed. Anahat stunned top seed, reigning Commonwealth Games champion and world No. 10 Georgina Kennedy of England 12-10, 11-5, 11-7 in a brisk 26-minute final to win her maiden PSA Bronze-level title at the Squash On Fire Open.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The victory was her 15th title overall on the PSA Tour, achieved in just 26 tournaments, and also made her the youngest Asian player to break into the world’s top 20 rankings.What stood out was not just the scoreline, but the manner in which Anahat controlled the contest. In the opening game, she trailed 8-10 but reeled off four straight points to take it, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Having lost to Kennedy in their only previous meeting, the seventh seed showed composure well beyond her years, rarely allowing the higher-ranked opponent to settle.“I’m extremely happy,” Anahat said after the final. “Coming into this event, I played the British Junior Open a few weeks back and I didn’t play too well. I knew in between these events I had some time to train and I did as much as I possibly could to get the best out of my game,” she added.The result, she said, was part of a clear plan. “I knew I wanted to do well in these events, get my ranking up and also put on a performance, and I’m glad I was able to do that this time.”The title adds to a rapidly growing list of achievements. Anahat was part of the Indian team that won a historic Squash World Cup title in Chennai last year. Earlier this season, she reached the semifinals of the Canadian Women’s Open, a PSA Silver-level event, signalling her readiness to challenge top-ranked players consistently.Those around her have long believed this rise was inevitable. “When I met her, she was 13-year-old and already one of the contenders to win the national title. She is like a prodigy,” said her coach Stephane Galifi. “We want her to be in the top 10 at the world level as soon as possible.” Galifi believes her strengths are already evident.“She is very gifted. She learns very quickly, very mature for her age. She has got everything, a whole package. She can cover the court very well, read the game very well. Some players mature when they’re 25-26. She is like a sponge, learning and absorbing everything quickly,” the Italian said.But there is still work to do. “She needs to play more events out of India, have different training with better players. She needs to get a little stronger in terms of fitness because at the top level all players are extremely fit,” he said.For now, Anahat’s breakthrough in Washington feels less like a surprise and more like the next logical step for a teenager steadily turning promise into performance.

MUMBAI: In a development with direct implications for the investigation into the June 12 fatal Air India Boeing 787 Ahmedabad crash, another Air India Dreamliner saw a fuel control switch move from “run” to “cut-off” after a crew member pressed it to check whether it was locked.

Dreamliner Had Landed In B’luru From London

The switch moved without the required lift action, suggesting the safeguard meant to prevent fuel supply cut off and inadvertent engine shutdown did not function as designed, sources said. The London incident challenges the controversial narrative that the Ahmedabad crash resulted from a deliberate pilot act, pointing instead to a possible and critical technical flaw in the aircraft’s fuel switch design.

The incident occurred on Feb 1 at London Heathrow during engine start of B787 (VT-ANX) operating the 9.05pm Air India flight AI-132 to Bengaluru. The fuel control switches on the 787 require a two-step action: they must be lifted before they can be moved between “run” and “cut-off”. The safety feature is intended to prevent inadvertent fuel shutdown. “The pilot lightly pushed the left fuel control switch to check if its lock feature was working and found it was not because the switch moved though it was not lifted first,” the source said. It again failed to lock the second time. But the third time the switch stayed locked and did not move without lifting. The aircraft departed at 9.40pm for Bengaluru, where it is currently grounded. The London incident brings back to fore the unresolved question around switch design, its locking integrity and the possibility of inadvertent activation, said sources. A senior commander said: “The London incident directly challenges the assumption that fuel switch movement in the Air India crash was manual. Until now, the cut-off transition was treated as near-conclusive evidence of pilot action. The London event shows that uncommanded switch behaviour, through mechanical detent failure, signal corruption or other causes, is a credible failure mode. That places the DGCA’s earlier claim of fleet clearance under scrutiny, as a defect appearing months later suggests inspections may have been visual, non-diagnostic, or incomplete. For AAIB, the implication is clear: fuel cutoff can no longer be equated with intent, the probe must widen to fleet-level and component analysis.”

Stock market today (AI image)

Stock market today LIVE after India-US trade deal: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex soared in opening trade on Tuesday, reacting positively to the India-US trade deal announcement by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Nifty50 went above 25,800, BSE Sensex surged over 2,300 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 25,811.40, up 723 points or 2.88%. BSE Sensex was at 83,970.33, up 2,304 points or 2.82%.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited said, “The dramatic announcement of the long-awaited US-India trade deal and the US decision to cut tariffs on India from 50% to 18% is a game changer for the Indian economy and stock markets. The deal getting delayed was the single important factor that was weighing on the markets. The impact of the deal will be manifold: One, India’s growth rate will rise to around 7.5% in FY27 assisted by higher exports to the US. Two, corporate earnings already showing signs of revival in FY 27 can accelerate to around 16 to 18%. Three, rupee will strengthen sharply. The combination of the US-India trade deal, the EU-India trade deal and the growth-oriented Budget will boost the market sentiments and the animal spirits in the economy. The stock market, anticipating and discounting these developments will boom. Technically, the market which is hugely short, will witness short-covering adding fuel to the rally. The rally will be widespread across market caps; but the largecaps which are fairly valued have the potential to outperform aided by FII inflows. The FII favourites in largecaps like the banking leaders, non-banking financials and other bluechips in telecom, capital goods and IT, will surge. Textile stocks will be on special focus. This is going to be the beginning of a boom in the Indian stock markets taking it to new records.”Meanwhile, US stocks finished higher on Monday. Gains were led by artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks, while small-cap shares outperformed the broader market. The Russell 2000 advanced about 1 percent, extending its lead over the S&P 500 and Nasdaq so far in 2026.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

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Cameron Green’s angry reaction to Usman Tariq (Screengrabs)

NEW DELHI: Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has publicly come out in support of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq after controversy erupted during the second T20I between Australia and Pakistan last week. The issue began when Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, after getting out to Tariq, was seen making a gesture on live television that many viewers interpreted as suggesting “chucking”.

The clip quickly went viral and sparked heated debate on social media. Usman Tariq, 28, has faced scrutiny over his bowling action in the past. His action was reported twice during the Pakistan Super League, but on both occasions he was cleared after undergoing official testing. Despite this, Green’s gesture reopened the discussion, with opinions sharply divided online. Khawaja, who retired from international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test in January 2026, stepped in to defend the Pakistani spinner. Taking to Instagram Stories, he urged fans to show restraint and empathy. “There aren’t many things worse than being called a chucker in cricket. The stigma is real. The man is just doing his best and has been cleared twice. Let’s have some perspective and understanding and stop jumping to conclusions,” he wrote. Tariq himself has earlier explained the reason behind his action. He said a biological condition in his elbow makes it difficult to fully straighten his arm, which can sometimes look misleading to spectators. “There are two corners on my elbow which make it hard for me to straighten. That causes confusion for the spectators. I have given two tests at labs in Pakistan. My action was cleared,” Tariq said. He added, “I was confident about my action because I know that I am not throwing.” On the field, Tariq has delivered solid performances. In his lone T20I appearance against Australia, he picked up figures of 2/16. He is part of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad and is expected to play a key role when the tournament begins on February 7 against the Netherlands. Pakistan recently swept a depleted Australian side 3-0 in the T20I series, after which both teams travelled to Sri Lanka for the World Cup, leaving the controversy behind but the debate still alive.

NEW DELHI: Air India Monday grounded one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANX) after the crew operating this aircraft from London to Bengaluru reported an issue with the locking mechanism of the fuel control switch. Boeing says it is “in contact with AI and supporting their review of this matter.”

The aircraft had taken off from London at 9.19 pm Sunday from Heathrow and landed in Bengaluru Monday 11.54 am (all timings local). Airline sources say the pilot observed an issue with the switch after landing and reported the same. However according to Safety Matters Foundation: “On Feb 2, 2026, during the operation of Air India Flight AI132 (London Heathrow to Bengaluru), the crew reported abnormal behaviour of the LEFT engine fuel control switch on Boeing 787 VT-ANX. During engine start, the switch failed to remain locked in the RUN position on two attempts, moving towards CUTOFF—a malfunction that could, under specific conditions, lead to an inadvertent engine shutdown in flight.”

“Left fuel control switch slips from on to cut off when pushed down slightly. It does not lock in its position,” says the pilot in his report filed with the airline.This development assumes significance as on June 12, 2025, an AI B787 (VT-ANB) operating as AI 171 had crashed in Ahmedabad seconds after take off killing 260 people, because of fuel supply to its engines drying up as the switch had moved from run to cut off. It is not yet conclusively known why the switch was cut off — whether due to a mechanical fault or otherwise.Also read| Air India plane crash: What are the fuel control switches under scrutiny? What they do and why they matterAbout the Bengaluru grounding, AI said in a statement: “We are aware that one of our pilots has reported a possible defect on the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. After receiving this initial information, we have grounded the said aircraft and are involving the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to get the pilot’s concerns checked on a priority basis. The matter has been communicated to the aviation regulator, DGCA. Air India had checked the fuel control switches on all Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet after a directive from the DGCA, and had found no issues. At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains top priority.”The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing this latest scare and has sought information from the airline. Comments have been sought from Boeing as well.Boeing Dreamliner’s Fuel control switches came into sharp focus after the Ahmedabad crash. “In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff (the fuel control switch). The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” says AI 171 crash preliminary investigation report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.After the crash, AI had checked the fuel control switches of all its Dreamliners and had found no issues with them. Aviation safety expert Captain Amit Singh said: “What makes this (Monday scare) deeply troubling is not only that it happened, but that it occurred after Air India publicly stated it had conducted precautionary checks across its 787 fleet and found no issues. This raises urgent questions: Were the checks thorough? Is this a new, recurring defect? Passengers and crews deserve unambiguous answers.”Singh’s Safety matters Foundation said in a statement, “This incident is especially alarming as it mirrors a known risk previously identified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2018, the FAA issued safety alert for operators, explicitly warning that certain fuel control switches, including those on Boeing 787s, could malfunction in this exact manner, increasing the risk of accidental engine shutdown. The FAA recommended inspection and replacement of affected units.”

The cricketing world is currently buzzing with off-field drama as the lead-up to the World Cup takes a geopolitical turn. Australia’s T20 captain, Mitchell Marsh, found himself in the crosshairs of a sensitive diplomatic query during a recent press conference, but the seasoned all-rounder showed exactly why he’s a leader by choosing to stay firmly in his cricketing bubble. As rumours of a potential Pakistan boycott or forfeit against India continue to circulate, Marsh has made it clear that the Australian camp has no intention of getting sidelined by the noise.

The tension stems from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent hints at a potential withdrawal from their high-stakes clash against India. This comes in the wake of Bangladesh’s absence from the tournament, having been replaced by Scotland after the ICC rejected a request to move matches out of India due to security concerns. For Marsh, however, the focus remains on the trophy, not the tally of political disputes.

Mitchell Marsh responds to Pakistan’s boycott and Bangladesh’s exit from T20 World Cup 2026

When pressed by a Pakistani journalist regarding the claim that Pakistan might forfeit their match against India, Marsh was clinical in his dismissal during post-match press conference.

:I don’t really have a comment on that at this point in time. We are going to the World Cup, so we are just focusing on the World Cup and what we are doing. All of that stuff will take care of itself.” Mitchell Marsh said.

The journalist further probed about Bangladesh’s absence from the tournament, seeking a sympathetic or controversial take, but Marsh remained unmoved. He reiterated that his responsibility lies with the safety and performance of the Australian squad.

“The same goes for my previous answer. We are going to the World Cup to try to win it. We are solely focused on that. As the Australian team, we trust the people who are in place to keep us safe,” Marsh concluded.

The stakes for such a forfeit are astronomical. The India-Pakistan fixture is the crown jewel of ICC events, and a cancellation could result in a staggering loss of ₹200–250 crore in advertising revenue for broadcasters. While the ICC has warned the PCB of punitive sanctions and financial penalties, Marsh’s refusal to engage highlights a professional boundary that teams are increasingly setting to avoid being used as pawns in administrative battles.

Here’s the video:

Mitchell Marsh’s response on Pakistan boycotting their clash against India and Bangladesh not participating in the #T20WorldCup

VC: PCB #Cricket | #Pakistan | #MitchellMarsh | #India pic.twitter.com/1KEpFsGyYb

— Khel Shel (@khelshel) February 1, 2026

Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar demands ICC to take action against PCB’s boycott of India match in T20 World Cup 2026

Australia looks to rebound after Pakistan series sweep

While Marsh is successfully dodging questions in the press room, his team is currently looking for answers on the pitch. The Australian side is reeling from a challenging recent bilateral series where they were swept clean by Pakistan. This rare whitewash on home soil (or neutral territory) has given the Men in Green a massive psychological edge heading into the global tournament.

Pakistan’s bowling attack exploited the bounce and pace, leaving the Australian top order searching for answers. This series victory has bolstered Pakistan’s confidence as they prepare for their opening campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, followed by fixtures against the USA and Namibia.

For Australia, the focus now shifts from the disappointment of the sweep to the prestige of the World Cup. If Pakistan decides not to show up for the toss against India, India will be awarded a walkover and two points, a scenario the ICC is desperate to avoid. As for Marsh, he knows that while talk is cheap, the points on the board are what will define Australia’s summer.

Also READ: ‘When you can’t beat them, boycott them’: Pakistan’s decision to decline India T20 World Cup 2026 match triggers fan reactions