Ishan Kishan, right, arrives to bat as Sanju Samson walks off the field after his dismissal during the second T20I cricket match between India and New Zealand, in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. (PTI Photo)

India got the new T20 opening pair on Wednesday as Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma walked out to open the innings as Men-in-Blue played South Africa in their only warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. India won the toss, and captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bat first.At the toss, Suryakumar confirmed a change at the top of the batting order, indicating a possible setback for Sanju Samson’s World Cup plans. The Indian captain said that Ishan Kishan will open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma, pushing Samson out of the opening role.

“We are going to bat first. It is something we have been doing well. There might be some dew later in the evening, we want to test our bowlers in challenging conditions and defend the total, whatever we get,” Suryakumar said at the toss.Follow live updatesWhen asked about the opening combination and handling pressure at home, the India captain made the team’s plan clear. “Definitely Ishan and Abhishek. [On dealing with pressure and expectations] See, I think when you are playing in India in front of your home ground, there are expectations. But at the same time so many people in the stadium cheering you on, I think it gives you an extra advantage,” he added.Sanju Samson’s position has been under scrutiny for several months. Before the Asia Cup 2025, Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened the innings and delivered steady returns. However, the team management later brought Shubman Gill into the side, which pushed Samson into the middle order. That change affected Samson’s output, and calls grew to restore him as an opener.Gill’s lack of runs and slow scoring rate led the selectors to bring back Ishan Kishan after his strong Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season. Samson then got another chance at the top but managed only 49 runs in five innings against New Zealand. During the same series, Kishan batted at No.3 and scored his maiden T20I century.With Tilak Varma returning to the squad, the management has now decided to move Kishan to the opening slot. That shift has left no clear place for Samson in the playing XI. The team’s thinking was hinted at earlier as well, when Kishan was asked to keep wickets in the fifth T20I.The warm-up match decision has raised questions about whether Samson’s chances of making the T20 World Cup XI are slipping, with the captain’s “definitely Ishan” comment underlining the current pecking order at the top.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – JANUARY 31: The Olympic rings (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, are set to begin in Northern Italy, bringing the global spotlight back to winter sport. The Games will run from Friday, February 6 to Sunday, February 22, with athletes from across the world competing in 16 different disciplines spread across multiple Italian venues.Opening Ceremony: Date and TimeThe Opening Ceremony will be held on Friday, February 6, marking the formal start of the Winter Games. For viewers in India, the ceremony will begin at 12:30 AM IST (early hours of February 7), while local time in Italy will be 8:00 PM CET. The ceremony will officially launch more than two weeks of high-profile competition.Although the opening ceremony is scheduled for February 6, sporting action will start earlier. Curling events begin on February 4, while men’s downhill alpine skiing is scheduled for February 7 at 4:00 PM IST.Key Medal Events to WatchSeveral marquee gold medal events are spread across the Games. The women’s alpine skiing downhill will take place on February 8, followed by men’s figure skating on February 13. The spotlight returns to alpine skiing with the women’s slalom on February 18.February 19 will be one of the busiest medal days, featuring the women’s figure skating final, the women’s ice hockey gold medal match, and the first-ever Olympic gold medals in ski mountaineering, a new addition to the programme. The Games will conclude on February 22, with the men’s ice hockey gold medal match followed by the Closing Ceremony.India’s ParticipationIndia will be represented by two athletes at Milano Cortina 2026. Arif Mohammad Khan has qualified in alpine skiing, while Stanzin Lundup will compete in cross-country skiing, continuing India’s presence at the Winter Olympics.Host Cities and VenuesThe Games will be jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with events staged across Northern Italy. Competition venues include Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and Anterselva, showcasing Italy’s alpine landscape and winter sports infrastructure.Where to Watch Live in India Indian viewers can follow the Winter Olympics live on JioCinema, with televised coverage available on Sports18. Viacom18 is the official broadcaster for the Games in India.Full Sports List at Milano Cortina 2026The 16 disciplines featured at the 2026 Winter Olympics are:Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Nordic Combined, Short Track Speed Skating, Skeleton, Ski Jumping, Ski Mountaineering, Snowboarding, and Speed Skating.With a multi-city format, new sports, and major medal events lined up, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics promise a packed and compelling schedule from start to finish.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: As India begin shaping their roadmap towards the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, former captain MS Dhoni has thrown his weight behind senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, insisting that performance and fitness — not age — should determine their future in ODI cricket. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking at a recent event, Dhoni made it clear that experienced players should not be written off simply because they are in their 30s, especially with scrutiny increasing after both stalwarts stepped away from Test cricket last year.

“Why not? The thing is, why somebody should not play the next World Cup? For me, age is not a criteria. Performance, fitness, these are the criteria,” Dhoni said, adding that no player should be judged purely on numbers associated with age. “Is age a factor? No. Fitness factor? Yes. Even if you are 22 and not fit, you cannot play international cricket.” Dhoni emphasised that decisions on longevity ultimately belong to the players themselves: “If they keep performing and have the urge to do well for the country, then why not? How do you get experienced people otherwise?”The World Cup-winning skipper also stressed the value of seasoned campaigners in a young dressing room. “You cannot get a 20-year-old who is experienced unless it is someone like Sachin Tendulkar,” he noted, pointing out that experience is built over years of high-pressure matches. “If people are performing, they will be there, otherwise not. If they are not fit, you can chuck them out,” he added.

Dhoni’s remarks come as both Rohit and Kohli continue to build their ODI credentials. Since the Australia tour, Kohli has amassed 616 runs in nine matches at an average of 88, while Rohit has contributed 409 runs @ 51 average. With the next ODI assignment scheduled in England from July, the debate over India’s senior core heading into 2027 remains firmly alive.

India’s Axar Patel celebrates the wicket of New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips during the fifth and final T201 cricket match between India and New Zealand, at the Greenfield International Stadium, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. (PTI)

TimesofIndia.com in Mumbai: In April 2024, on the sidelines of a Delhi Capitals event in the national capital, Axar Patel was asked about his chances of making it to the T20 World Cup. “Aapko toh maloom hai ki main har World Cup se pehle injured ho jaata hoon (You guys know my history, I get injured before every World Cup),” pat came the reply from the India all-rounder. It brought a smile to everyone’s lips but after a while, when it sank in, one could sense the pain behind Axar’s comment.Axar’s childhood friend Keval Patel bursts into laughter while sharing the text he sent his buddy after the 32-year-old injured his bowling finger attempting a return catch in the first T20I against New Zealand.

“Maine usko message kar diya tha ki bhai dhyaan se, abhi World Cup hai, bahut lamba cricket hai (laughs). I messaged him to be careful, the World Cup is ahead, and there is a lot of cricket,” Keval tells TimesofIndia.com from Nadiad in Gujarat.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Behind the laughter, one could sense the tension that had gripped Axar’s close circle back home. Keval had seen a similar script unfold in 2023 when Axar got injured and missed the ODI World Cup at home. And he was not ready for another heartbreak.The absolute low of 2023 was followed by a dream run for Axar as he featured in the title-winning 2024 T20 World Cup squad, played a stellar knock in the final, and followed it up with a Champions Trophy title in 2025.

Axar Patel with his childhood friend Keval Patel (Special Arrangements)

In between, Axar became a father with the arrival of ‘Chota Patel’. Axar and his wife were blessed with a baby boy in December 2024 and, in Keval’s words, the toddler is the heartbeat of the entire clan. A group that once spent its time playing PlayStation now spends it with Haksh.“Hum jaise pehle baithte the, abhi bhi waise hi baithte hai. Abhi wo chota Patel ko leke aata hai to usme zyaada time chala jaata hai. Hum ab chotu ke saath hi khelte rehte hai (We still sit the same way, but now Axar brings his son along and all the time goes there. We keep playing with him),” says Keval.While Axar’s close circle has watched many of his games from the stands, it will be a World Cup debut of sorts for his son. Keval plans to take ‘Chotu’ to the ground for one of the matches. “Maine bahut match dekhe hai. Chotu ne bhi Delhi Capitals ka IPL match dekha hai. But is baar World Cup mein ‘Chota Patel’ ka entry hoga. Abhi kaunsa match dekhna hai, wo decide nahi hua hai, but Axar ko bol diya hai ki hum saath mein match dekhne aayenge (I have watched many matches. ‘Chotu’ has also watched a Delhi Capitals IPL game. But this time, it will be his first World Cup. We haven’t decided which match yet, but Axar knows we will be there together),” Keval shares.Axar flies under the radar most of the time, but his contributions with both bat and ball make him an integral part of the side. He remains the underrated cog in a star-studded Indian line-up. Brick by brick, the 32-year-old has grown in stature. He is the captain of Delhi Capitals and the deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in India’s T20I set-up.“Axar has been with us since 2019. He is an excellent reader of the game. He is a fun-loving character who keeps things light, but not many have noticed his game-reading skills and the way he thinks about cricket,” Venugopal Rao, Delhi Capitals’ director of cricket, tells this outlet.

Axar Patel of Delhi Capitals plays a shot during the 2025 IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders at Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 29, 2025, in Delhi, India. (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

Rao also revealed how Axar won the captaincy race despite the presence of experienced campaigners like Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul.“When captaincy was discussed, Rahul was there and Faf was there, but everyone was convinced about Axar because even the Indian team had started taking note of his leadership abilities,” says Rao.Rao’s first meeting with Axar came when the all-rounder was making waves in the age-group circuit for Gujarat and was known as the “Jayasuriya of Nadiad” because of his strokeplay.He recalls a fascinating episode from the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy season, when Axar was thrown into the deep end in a crucial fixture against Delhi. Rao and then Gujarat captain Parthiv Patel, agreed on the need to include a left-arm spinner against a star-studded Delhi batting line-up featuring Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Mithun Manhas and Rajat Bhatia.“I remember discussing it with Parthiv. We knew Axar from the age-group circuit and felt a left-arm spinner was essential. I scored a hundred, Parthiv got a half-century, but it was Axar who stood out. He took six wickets in the first innings and made vital runs to give us the first-innings lead,” Rao recalls.

Axar Patel of India bats during game four of the T20 International Series between Australia and India at People First Stadium on November 06, 2025 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The performance did not go unnoticed. Axar was picked by the Punjab Kings at the IPL auction and soon earned a national call-up. Months later, he made his ODI debut for India against Bangladesh in June 2014.“He made an immediate impact. He did well against a strong Delhi side and got his rewards. There was no looking back after that,” Rao adds.From the teenager Rao saw in 2013 to the match-winner he has worked with at Delhi Capitals, much has changed. Yet, much has remained the same. Axar has matured significantly, but his mantra of keeping things simple remains intact.“With the greatest cricketers, it’s about how simple they keep things. Axar has mastered that and has only matured with time,” explains Rao.

India’s Axar Patel during a visit at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, in Thiruvananthapuram.

Back in Nadiad, little has changed. He is still the same Axar Keval grew up with. Having lived through the highs and lows of his childhood friend’s career, Keval says one thing has never changed: Axar’s humility.“Bahut hi down-to-earth banda hai. Kuch bhi change nahi hua hai. Field ke bahar wo wahi Axar hai jo pehle tha(He is very down-to-earth. Nothing has changed. Outside the cricket field, he is still the same Axar as before),” says Keval.During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Axar was confined to watching matches on television. His friends sensed the turmoil he must have been going through. Their plan was simple: PlayStation, card games and plenty of laughter to keep his spirits up.“Hum jaante the wo andar se bahut dukhi hoga. Itna bada stage hai. Hum log roz saath baithte the aur usko distracted rakhte the. Pura din saath rehte the (We knew he was sad on the inside. It was a huge stage. We would sit everyday and distract him),” Keval says.

Axar carries the air of someone who has endured more than his share of misfortune. For over a decade, he has lived in Ravindra Jadeja’s shadow and missed major tournaments due to injuries. Yet, his tenacity has kept him going. A self-made cricketer, he has squeezed every ounce of his talent.He has won ICC titles, but this time, he will have a new supporter in ‘Chota Patel’ cheering from the stands. Axar now has the task of making his son’s first World Cup memorable by helping India lift the trophy once again.

Delhi Capitals produced a dominant all-round performance to book their place in a fourth straight Women’s Premier League final, beating Gujarat Giants by seven wickets in the Eliminator on Tuesday.After choosing to bowl, Delhi’s disciplined attack kept Gujarat to a competitive but manageable 168 for 7. The Capitals struck early through Chinelle Henry, who removed Sophie Devine and later returned to finish with 3 for 35. Nandini Sharma made an immediate impact in her first over, dismissing Anushka Sharma and captain Ashleigh Gardner off successive deliveries to leave the Giants in trouble. Spinners Minnu Mani and Sneh Rana tightened the screws through the middle overs, restricting the flow of runs and forcing Gujarat to rebuild.Beth Mooney held the innings together with a composed unbeaten 62 off 51 balls, hitting six boundaries. She found support from Georgia Wareham, who played a lively 35-run knock as the pair added 61 for the fifth wicket. Mooney later combined with Kashvee Gautam for a late flourish, helping Gujarat add valuable runs in the final overs after struggling for momentum earlier.In reply, Delhi made light work of the chase thanks to a blistering opening partnership. Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee came out attacking, smashing 89 runs without loss in just a few overs. Verma struck 31 off 21 balls while Lee made 43 off 24, peppering the boundary and putting Gujarat on the back foot. Although Wareham briefly revived Gujarat’s hopes by dismissing both openers in the same over, the damage had already been done.Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Jemimah Rodrigues calmly guided the chase through the middle phase, ensuring there were no further hiccups. Rodrigues scored a fluent 41 while Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 32. Marizanne Kapp eventually hit the winning runs as Delhi reached the target in just 15.4 overs.The comprehensive win underlined Delhi Capitals’ consistency in the league and set up a final clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Steve Smith has signed with new Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Sialkot Stallionz for the 2026 season, which will make his first-ever appearance in the PSL. The franchise confirmed the signing on Tuesday, bringing Smith in through a direct signing option allowed under league rules for overseas players who did not play in the previous season.

Sialkot Stallionz were recently announced as one of the PSL’s two new teams, and Smith is expected to be a central figure in their debut campaign. With his experience and leadership background, he could also be considered for the captain’s role.Smith, who went unsold during the IPL mini auction in December last year, last played competitive cricket in the Big Bash League with Sydney Sixers, where he made an immediate impact despite joining midway through the season. He scored 299 runs in just six matches at an impressive average of 59.80, including one century and two half-centuries. Smith, playing alongside Babar Azam, finished as the Sixers’ top scorer and helped them reach the final, where they lost to Perth Scorchers.Although Smith went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, his value in franchise cricket remains high. Across 272 T20 matches, he has scored 6,242 runs at an average of 32.68 and a strike rate of 131.38, including five centuries and 30 half-centuries.Sialkot Stallionz have also strengthened their setup off the field by appointing former Australia captain Tim Paine as head coach. Paine brings coaching experience from stints with Adelaide Strikers and Australia A teams.The PSL 2026 season is scheduled to begin on March 26, with Sialkot Stallionz set to make their much-anticipated debut.

Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina

Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina have etched their names into tennis history, becoming the first mothers to be ranked inside the WTA Tour’s top 10 at the same time — a milestone the governing body has hailed as “an incredible moment for women’s sport”.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Switzerland’s Bencic made her return to the elite bracket in January, breaking back into the top 10 for the first time since stepping away from competition in September 2023 following the birth of her daughter, Bella. In the latest rankings released on Monday, she was joined by Ukraine’s Svitolina, who climbed into the top 10 after a run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Svitolina is the mother of Skai.The landmark moment has also shone a spotlight on the WTA’s Family Focus Program, which in recent years has aimed to make elite tennis more compatible with motherhood. The initiative includes ranking protection during pregnancy, postpartum return-to-play support and paid maternity leave — measures that both Bencic and Svitolina used via the Special Ranking Rule for returning mothers.“Two mothers ranked inside the WTA’s Top 10 rankings for the first time is an incredible moment for tennis and for women’s sport,” said WTA chief executive Portia Archer. “It not only highlights the exceptional achievements of Belinda and Elina, but also reaffirms the WTA’s commitment to creating an environment where mothers can continue to compete and succeed at the very highest level.”Ranked ninth, Bencic described her return as deeply personal and hard-earned. “Coming back to the WTA Top 10 one year after returning to competition after maternity leave is something I am incredibly proud of,” she said. “Very few people know how difficult that journey is.”Svitolina, now ranked 10th, echoed those sentiments. “It’s a dream to return to the WTA Top 10. Doing it as a mother means so much to me,” she said.At the top of the rankings, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek retained their positions as world No. 1 and No. 2, while newly crowned Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina climbed two places to No. 3. Amanda Anisimova, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Jasmine Paolini rounded out the top eight.

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.

Bangladesh cricket fan waves their national flag (Reuters Photo)

Bangladesh women’s team cricketer Rabeya Khan (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Bangladesh cricket fan waves their national flag (Reuters Photo)

Bangladesh women’s team cricketer Rabeya Khan (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Bangladesh cricket fan waves their national flag (Reuters Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh High Court has raised serious questions over the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s handling of women players’ safety, especially in cases linked to sexual harassment. On Monday, the court issued a rule asking why the failure of the BCB and concerned authorities to provide a safe and gender-sensitive environment for women cricketers should not be declared “unlawful, without lawful authority, and against public interest.”

According to a report from Bangladesh-based media outlet Daily Star, the court also ordered the BCB to immediately follow its anti-sexual harassment policy in line with earlier court guidelines. Until the case is decided, the board must submit a report explaining what steps it has taken to implement these measures.The order came after a writ petition filed by former national shooter Sabrina Sultana. The High Court bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the directive after hearing the petition.According to the petitioner’s lawyer, Barrister Nasiruddin Ahmed Asim, allegations of sexual harassment were raised involving Jahanara Alam, the former captain of the Bangladesh women’s cricket team. Following the complaint, the BCB formed a three-member independent inquiry committee, which was later expanded to five members. However, no report has been made public so far.The BCB reportedly delayed submitting the committee’s findings twice. The report was due on January 31, but there is still no clarity on whether it has been submitted at all. This delay and lack of transparency led to dissatisfaction over how the matter was handled.Because of these concerns, Sabrina Sultana approached the High Court, seeking firm directions to protect women athletes and ensure accountability. After an initial hearing, the court issued both the rule and the interim order.

Pakistani fans holding a large flag cheer during the match (Photo by AP)

NEW DELHI: Some will call it ruckus. Some will call it a mess. Others will simply call it chaos. The words may change, but the situation remains the same. Cricket, once again, finds itself caught between politics, security fears and unfinished business.On Sunday, the Pakistan government confirmed that its cricket team will take part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. But there was a major catch. Pakistan will not play its league match against India. The announcement came through the government’s official X handle.

It said, “The government … grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”The reason is not new. Pakistan has maintained a long-standing policy of not touring India due to geopolitical tensions. Because of this, Pakistan’s Group A matches have been scheduled in Sri Lanka. But refusing to play a single match in a global tournament has raised serious questions about the spirit of competition.The International Cricket Council (ICC) reacted firmly. In a statement, it said, “The ICC notes the statement that the government of Pakistan has made regarding the decision to instruct its national team to selectively participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.” The governing body made its discomfort clear, adding, “This position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule.”

Players of Pakistan unveil ICC T20 World Cup 2026 jersey (Photo by Sameer Ali/Getty Images)

While it is rare for Pakistan to be the side raising questions, history shows it has more often been the team affected by others refusing to tour. Over the years, several international sides have cancelled or declined tours to Pakistan, mostly due to security concerns.One of the earliest major setbacks came in 2008, when New Zealand cancelled a scheduled tour to Pakistan. Political instability and safety concerns made the visitors uncomfortable. That cancellation was an early sign that touring Pakistan was becoming increasingly difficult.Australia followed the same path in 2008. The Australians decided not to tour Pakistan, citing serious security concerns. Instead, parts of the series were moved to neutral venues.For Pakistan cricket, this was another blow. Hosting matches at home was becoming impossible, and fans were being denied the chance to see top teams play on their soil.After the their 2008 tour, India stopped travelling to Pakistan for bilateral cricket due to worsening political relations and security concerns, especially following the Mumbai terror attacks later that year.

Family members light candles as they pay tribute to martyrs of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, at the Gateway of India, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. (PTI Photo)

Since then, India and Pakistan have only faced each other in ICC tournaments or Asia Cups, mostly at neutral venues, with bilateral series remaining suspended.The situation worsened dramatically in 2009. The Sri Lankan team was attacked in Lahore while travelling to a Test match. Several people were injured, and lives were lost. That incident changed everything. After the attack, international teams stayed away from Pakistan for years. Home series were shifted to the UAE. Pakistan became a team without a home.Bangladesh also refused to tour Pakistan in 2012. Once again, security fears were the reason. While Bangladesh later returned for limited tours, the refusal added to Pakistan’s growing list of cancelled series.Even when things seemed to improve, trouble returned. In 2021, New Zealand abandoned its tour to Pakistan just minutes before the first match. The decision came after what was described as “security advice”. The sudden withdrawal shocked players, fans and officials. Stadiums were ready. Crowds were waiting. But cricket never happened.England followed soon after. In 2021, both the men’s and women’s England teams cancelled their tours of Pakistan.

Pakistan beat Australia in T20Is 3-0 (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Player safety was cited as the main reason. For Pakistan, it was a painful reminder that trust takes years to build and seconds to lose.These incidents show a clear pattern, with major international teams declining or cancelling tours to Pakistan. Most of these decisions were linked to security concerns. The long absence of international cricket forced Pakistan to rebuild its image slowly. Over time, teams like Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa, and also Australia returned, helping Pakistan inch back into the global cricket map.But the situation has changed now.ALSO READ: Pakistan boycotts India T20 World Cup clash: Why teams skipped selective ICC matches beforePakistan once pleaded for teams to tour its country. Now, it is choosing not to play its most high-profile match in a global event. The context is different.Whether this standoff ends in compromise or conflict remains to be seen. For now, the ruckus continues. And once again, cricket waits on the sidelines.