Sri Lanka will face England in the third T20I of the England tour of Sri Lanka 2026, which will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. England won the second T20I match by six wickets and won the series 2-0. Sri Lanka bats first and posts a good total of 189 runs in 20 overs. Pavan Rathnayake scored 40 runs off 22 balls, while Kamil Mishra smashed 36 runs off 30 balls.

In response, England comfortably chased down the target in 16.4 overs. Jos Buttler smashed 39 runs off 29 balls, while middle-order batsman Tom Banton scored a match-winning 54 runs off 33 balls and helped his team to chase down the target. 

Also Read: SL vs ENG, 3rd T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

SL vs ENG Match Details

• Match: Sri Lanka vs England, 3rd T20I

• Date: 3rd February 2026

• Time: 7.00 PM IST

• Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

• Live Streaming: FanCode

SL vs ENG Weather Report

Pitch Report - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

The average score batting first at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is 165. But we have seen in this series that the pitches in the venue have been great for batting, and dew later can ease chasing. 

Top Batters to Watch – SL vs ENG

• Tom Banton (ENG): 83 runs in this Series 

• Pathum Nissanka (SL): 57 runs in this Series

• Kusal Mendis (SL): 69 runs in this Series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – SL vs ENG

• Adil Rashid (ENG): 4 wickets in Series

• Liam Dawson (ENG): 3 wickets in Series

• Matheesha Pathirana (SL): 3 wickets in Series 

SL vs ENG Recent Form

SL vs ENG Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If SL Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 45–55

• Predicted Total: 170-175

• Match Result: ENG to win

Scenario 2: If ENG Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 55–70

• Predicted Total: 185–200

• Match Result: ENG to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

SL vs ENG Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.

England 

Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook(c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton/ Josh Tongue, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

Why England Are Favourites Today

• Strong top-order

• Good all-rounder players 

• Adil Rashid's form 

• Middle-order performance 

SL vs ENG Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

According to our SL vs ENG today match prediction, England are the favourites to win the 3rd T20I match. The likes of Adil Rashid, Jos Buttler and Tom Banton will be key players to watch out for.

SL vs ENG Match FAQs

Gujarat Giants Women will take on Delhi Capitals Women in the Women’s Premier League 2026 Eliminator on Tuesday, 3 February at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara. It is a must-win game where the winning side will progress to the final to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, while the losing side will be out of the tournament.

Gujarat Giants Women enjoyed an impressive league stage this season. They finished second on the points table with five wins from eight matches. The highlight of their campaign was registering their first-ever victory against Mumbai Indians Women, which also helped them qualify for the WPL playoffs for the first time. Led by Ashleigh Gardner, GGW will be confident heading into this big match.

Delhi Capitals Women finished the league in fourt position with four wins and four losses. Under Jemimah Rodrigues, DCW have once again reached the knockout stage and will be aiming to make it to another final. The Capitals will need a strong all-round performance to keep their title hopes alive.

GGW vs DCW: Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 8
  
• Gujarat Giants Women Won: 4
  
• Delhi Capitals Women Won: 4
  
• Tied / No Result: 0

GGW vs DCW: Weather & Pitch Report

Vadodara weather is likely to be clear and warm for the evening game. The temperature should be around 31 degrees Celsius with no sign of rain. 

The pitch at the BCA Stadium has been good for batting throughout the tournament. Batters have scored freely once settled, while fast bowlers have found some help with the new ball. As the match progresses, the surface tends to become even better for batting, making it a good venue for a high-scoring contest.

See Also: U19 World Cup 2026, 2nd Semi-Final: IND U19 vs AFG U19 head-to-head, pitch report and predicted playing XIs

GGW vs DCW: Predicted Playing XIs

Gujarat Giants Women (GGW):

Ashleigh Gardner (C), Beth Mooney (WK), Bharti Fulmali, Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tanuja Kanwer

Delhi Capitals Women (DCW):

Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Lizelle Lee (WK), Shafali Verma, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma

Sri Lanka will face England in the third and final T20I of the series on Tuesday, February 3, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. With England already leading the series 2-0, the hosts will be desperate to avoid a clean sweep and finish the series on a positive note.

Led by Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka have struggled to match the intensity of England in the first two matches. The batting lineup has not been able to perform well, and the bowlers have struggled to restrict England’s aggressive fielding. With the T20 World Cup looming, Sri Lanka would be looking to perform well in all departments and regain some confidence.

England, on the other hand, have been in complete command. The batting lineup has been dominating the show, and the bowlers have been supporting them well at crucial times. This match will be their final official outing before the T20 World Cup warm-up games, and they will want to maintain their winning momentum.

SL vs ENG: Head-to-Head in T20Is

• Matches Played: 16
  
• Sri Lanka Won: 4
  
• England Won: 12
  
• Tied / No Result: 0

SL vs ENG: Pitch Report

The pitch at Pallekele has been good for batting, but rain has been a concern. In the first two matches, England won comfortably while chasing. With possible interruptions again, captains winning the toss are likely to bowl first, as chasing becomes easier in shortened games.

See Also: U19 World Cup 2026, 2nd Semi-Final: IND U19 vs AFG U19 head-to-head, pitch report and predicted playing XIs

SL vs ENG: Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka (SL):

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga

England (ENG):

Tom Banton, Phil Salt (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer

The 2nd Semi-Final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 will be played between India U19 and Afghanistan U19 on Wednesday, February 04, at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. Both teams will be eager to give their best in this pressure situation as the winner will move on to the final.

India U19 has been performing extremely well in the tournament and has been living up to their expectations so far. They won all three of their matches in Group B and topped the group by defeating USA, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. The team continued to perform well in the Super Six stage as well and crushed Zimbabwe by a massive 204-run margin before giving a calm and composed performance to defeat Pakistan in a do-or-die match.

Afghanistan U19 have also enjoyed an impressive campaign and have shown great fighting spirit. They won all three of their group matches to move into the Super Six stage with confidence. Although they suffered a setback against Sri Lanka, the Mahboob Khan-led side made a strong comeback by registering a massive 191-run win over Ireland. That victory has kept their hopes alive and given them belief heading into the semi-final.

IND U19 vs AFG U19: Head-to-Head

• Matches Played: 12
  
• India U19 Won: 10
  
• Afghanistan U19 Won: 2
  
• Tied: 0
  
• No Result: 0

IND U19 vs AFG U19: Pitch Report

The Harare Sports Club pitch provides an equal opportunity to both batsmen and bowlers. Fast bowlers can get some initial support with the new ball, while spinners tend to get more success in the latter stages of the match. Once the batsmen are accustomed to the conditions, it becomes relatively easier for them to score despite the assistance available to bowlers.

See Also: Watch: Pakistan Team departs for Sri Lanka ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 amid boycott controversy vs India

IND U19 vs AFG U19: Predicted Playing XIs

India U19 (IND U19):

Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (w), Vedant Trivedi, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran

Afghanistan U19 (AFG U19):

Khalid Ahmadzai, Osman Sadat, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan (w/c), Azizullah Miakhil, Nooristani Omarzai, Abdul Aziz, Roohullah Arab, Wahidullah Zadran, Aqil Khan

The left-arm spinner of the Indian cricket team, Ravindra Jadeja, recently turned up for the Saurashtra side against Punjab during the 2025/26 season of the Ranji Trophy, where he smashed a fine knock of 46 runs in the second innings, besides bagging two wickets in the first innings of the bowling department, after returning from the ODI series against New Zealand at home. 

The former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has shared a special video on X (formerly known as Twitter), where he was seen batting against the left-arm spinners. There was a massive crowd, gathering the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, who is also the minister of Rural development.

See Also: “Play India but…”- Shahid Afridi reacts to Pakistan’s refusal to face India in T20 World Cup 2026

Jadeja, in his usual run-up, bowls a short ball to Chouhan in that video as the latter smashed a big shot to the ball, with the action going viral on social media. The Indian players clapped and applauded the shot as the former chief minister captioned the video as “On the cricket pitch with Sir Jadeja.”

Former MP Chief minister plays cricket with Ravindra Jadeja

As India prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka and defends their title that they won against South Africa in the final under the leadership of Rohit Sharma at the Kingston Oval in Barbados, Jadeja won’t be part of the campaign, having retired from the shortest format with 54 wickets in 71 innings at an economy rate of 7.13.

Watch the video here: 

क्रिकेट की पिच पर सर जडेजा के साथ@imjadeja pic.twitter.com/hxMk2OiUgG

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) February 2, 2026

Jadeja was recently part of the home Test series against South Africa. After the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin, he has been the leader of India’s spin attack, with the experience of 348 wickets in 167 innings at an average of 25.11 and a strike rate of 58.1, besides contributing with 4095 runs at an average of 38.27.

There is speculation over Jadeja’s presence in the ODI format as he has struggled to pick wickets in the middle overs. Even with the bat, the southpaw hasn’t celebrated a fifty in the 50-over format at home for more than a decade. It will be interesting to see India’s decision regarding the veteran’s ODI position.

Ishan Kishan from India demonstrated his ability to tell jokes which he used to respond to an old viral video that showed Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill making fun of Kishans experience when he achieved historic athletic success yet remained unnoticed by others. The moment of his first T20I century against New Zealand cricket team occurred when Kishan appeared in a video that 2 Sloggers posted on YouTube.

Kishan made a joke in the clip when he said “Aur konse do match? Do saal” which means “Which two matches? Two years” about his time away from regular games because he achieved a record double century in ODIs. The comment instantly struck a chord with fans, resurfacing debates around selection consistency at the international level.

Kishan first experienced frustration because he established the fastest ODI double hundred record after scoring 210 runs off 113 balls against the Bangladesh cricket team in December 2022. The ODI series which followed against Sri Lanka in January 2023 saw Gill being chosen to open the batting line-up. Kishan returned later in the series against New Zealand, this time batting in the middle order, while Gill went on to score his own double century.

Watch the video:

ALSO SEE: Watch: “On cricket…”- Former MP Chief Minister shares on-field action with Ravindra Jadeja in viral video

Kishan turns past frustration into opportunity before T20 World Cup

The BCCI archive contains an old video which shows Rohit Sharma joking with Kishan by saying "Ishan, yaar aapne 200 banake 3 match nahi khela."Kishan responded with "Bhaiyya captain toh aap ho" which showed he was joking yet he wanted to maintain authority.

Rohit explained Gill's selection through his current performance and team needs while he confirmed that Kishan remained a valid choice. The 2023 ODI World Cup marked the end of Kishan's limited appearances which began with his match against Afghanistan.

The situation has changed since 2026. Kishan returned to T20I action against New Zealand by scoring 232 runs from four innings which included one century and one fifty. Kishan became the main wicketkeeper for India because Sanju Samson lost his playing form during the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 competition.

Gujarat Giants Women and Delhi Capitals Women will take place in the eliminator of the Women's Premier League 2026 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, on Tuesday. Gujarat Giants Women won five matches and finished in second position in the points table with 10 points. They found momentum in the tournament and won their last three matches. In their last match, they defeated the Mumbai Indians Women by 11 runs.

On the other hand, the Delhi Capitals won their last match by five wickets and booked their spot for the Eliminator of the WPL 2026. They won four matches in the tournament and finished third in the points table with eight points.

Also Read: GG-W vs MI-W Today Match Prediction, 19th Match WPL 2026 – Who Will Win?

GG-W vs MI-W Match Details

• Match: Gujarat Giants Women vs Delhi Capitals Women, Eliminator

• Date: 3rd February 2026

• Time: 7.30 PM IST

• Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara 

• Live Streaming: JioHotstar 

GG-W vs MI-W Weather Report

Pitch Report - Kotambi Stadium

Kotambi Stadium’s track is batter-friendly early on, with true bounce and compact boundaries that allow for aggressive strokeplay. Dew in the second innings gives the chasing team a noticeable edge, particularly in the closing stages.

Top Batters to Watch – GG-W vs MI-W

• Ashleigh Gardner (GG-W): 244 runs in this tournament 

• Phoebe Litchfield (GG-W): 243 runs in this tournament 

• Sophie Devine (GG-W): 237 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowlers to Watch – GG-W vs MI-W

• Sophie Devine (GG-W): 17 wickets in this tournament 

• Nandni Sharma (DC-W): 14 wickets in this tournament 

• Shree Charani (DC-W): 14 wickets in this tournament 

GG-W vs MI-W Recent Form

GG-W vs MI-W Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If GG-W Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 35–45

• Predicted Total: 150–160

• Match Result: DC-W to win

Scenario 2: If DC-W Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 40–50

• Predicted Total: 170–175

• Match Result: DC-W to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

GG-W vs DC-W Predicted Playing XIs

Gujarat Giants Women 

Beth Mooney(w), Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner(c), Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwer, Renuka Singh Thakur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

Delhi Capitals Women 

Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee(w), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues(c), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma

GG-W vs DC-W Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

According to our GG-W vs DC-W today match prediction, the Delhi Capitals Women are the favourites to win this Women's Premier League 2026 eliminator match. Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues and Marizanne Kapp are expected to be the key performers.

GG-W vs DC-W Match FAQs

Narayan Jagadeesan made a strong statement ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, producing a sensational century for India A against the United States of America in a warm-up match at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. The match allowed domestic players to demonstrate their skills because several senior Indian players were not participating and Jagadeesan successfully proved his abilities to the audience.

The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter opened the batting with Priyansh Arya who successfully crushed the USA bowling attack on a flat surface. Jagadeesan reached his hundred mark after 49 balls, displaying his ability to hit cleanly while maintaining his composure. His knock included 11 fours and five sixes, which he achieved at a strike rate above 200, causing problems for the opposing team.

The India A team started their innings with quick momentum, as Jagadeesan and Arya reached 43 runs for their first wicket. Arya established himself as the primary attacker during the initial stages of the game, while Jagadeesan fulfilled his role as the secondary player. The right-hander started his batting after his partner left the game, which allowed him to accelerate through the middle overs while he easily handled both pace and spin bowlers.

Watch the video:

JAGADEESAN UNLEASHED 💥 | IND A DOMINANCE MODE 🔥
Narayan Jagadeesan smashes a blazing 100 (49 balls)* 🤯
11 FOURS • 5 SIXES • Strike Rate 204.08 🚀
USA bowl first, but IND A roar to 188/2 in just 16 overs 💪🔥 pic.twitter.com/BWECjaivOy

— Puneet Awasthi (@PuneetA77622712) February 2, 2026

ALSO SEE: Explained: Why Cooper Connolly should have been 'not-out' after stumping in PAK vs AUS 3rd T20I

Jagadeesan’s ton strengthens case amid India’s wicketkeeping debate

The success of Jagadeesan's batting performance enabled India A to establish a significant lead which forced the USA team to start their batting chase. The American team showed some resistance yet they eventually lost the match because of their performance which displayed the differences in skill between the two teams. The match results showed that Jagadeesan secured victory for his team despite Tilak Varma and Ayush Badoni making important contributions. 

The batting performance has the potential to affect India's T20 plans. The combination of Ishan Kishan establishing himself as the main wicketkeeper and Sanju Samson dealing with performance issues makes it impossible to overlook Jagadeesan's achievements in A games. Samson scored 46 runs across the five-match T20I series against New Zealand while Kishan achieved above 200 runs which included a century.

Both Kishan and Samson are expected to play for the T20 World Cup squad according to actual expectations. The team will undergo changes after the tournament ends. Jagadeesan's strong performance against the USA established him as a dependable top-order batsman who can serve as India's future wicketkeeper in the shortest format.

The ICC rules which exist today show that Cooper Connolly should not have received an out decision during the third T20I match against Pakistan because the umpire ruled him out through stumping. The run chase by Australia faced its first major obstacle at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium when Australia lost the match to Pakistan.

Slow-motion footage exposes flaw in Connolly’s stumping decision

Australia started their run after they needed to achieve 208 runs, but they suffered a major collapse when Connolly entered at 82 for 6. The left-hander faced his second ball when he attempted to hit a shot against Mohammad Nawaz, but he completely missed the ball which turned away to the leg side. Pakistan wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay appeared to complete a straightforward stumping, with Connolly well out of his crease. The on-field umpire reduced Australia to 82 for 7 when he raised his finger to signal the out decision.

The match proceeded, but slow-motion replays showed an important detail which had escaped notice during the game. Nafay dislodged the bails with his left hand while he secured the ball inside his right glove. The act which he performed according to ICC regulations makes the dismissal invalid.

Watch the video:

13.5 overs AUS vs PAK: Ball in right hand, stumping with left hand 🤡 Connolly robbed in daylight. New rule unlocked by Pakistan player Khawaja Nafay? Poor umpiring, even poorer eyes.#PakvsAus #WorldCup2026 #INDvsPAK #ranbir
Video Courtesy @sportstv pic.twitter.com/3zpkKqVIBS

— Sagar jaiswal (@SagarKu88946146) February 2, 2026

Anyone can enlighten? Is this out or not. Or umpires miss the trick?@faizanlakhani @MazherArshad @krick3r @iRashidLatif68 @bazidkhan81 pic.twitter.com/WtUXPm5Yjp

— Hamza Arshad (@Hamzaarshadch9) February 2, 2026

ALSO SEE: Former RCB player player pulls out of upcoming PSL 2026 due to this issue: Know all about it

What do the ICC laws say?

According to ICC men's T20 playing conditions Clause 29.2.1 a fielder must break the stumps while holding the ball with the same hand that he used to remove the bails or uproot the stumps in order to achieve a "broken wicket" status. The batter in Connolly's case should have been ruled out according to the rule because the error was not identified.

Australia did not submit a formal complaint because the game officials did not assess the situation. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha later stressed that judging bowling or keeping actions falls solely under the purview of umpires and match officials.

Australia lost the match against England by 111 runs after their batting order collapsed to 96 runs which became their most significant defeat in T20I history. The match result itself showed clear dominance but the Connolly stumping decision created ongoing disputes which harmed Pakistan's complete 3-0 series victory.

UP Warriorz coach Abhishek Nayar admitted it was difficult to identify one clear reason for the team’s struggles in WPL 2026. His comments came after UPW lost to Delhi Capitals on Sunday. The defeat ended their playoff hopes for the season. Delhi won the match by five wickets in the final league fixture.

With that win, the Jemimah Rodrigues-led Delhi Capitals moved into the Eliminator. The result also meant two-time champions Mumbai Indians were knocked out. UP Warriorz, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a campaign that never fully took off. Injuries and inconsistency played a major role.

Speaking after the match, Nayar pointed to the absence of Phoebe Litchfield as a big setback. The Australian batter missed the latter part of the season due to a quad injury. Her absence disrupted the team’s balance at No. 3. UPW struggled to regain momentum after that loss.

“Losing Phoebe Impacted Our Team’s Setup,” Says Nayar

“I just think it's a season where it is hard to pinpoint what went wrong because we got some momentum when we won those two games,” Nayar said. “Losing Phoebe impacted our team's setup. It was hard for us to replace someone who has got more than 250 runs for us in the season. Number three didn't look the same for us post Phoebe. It was hard for us to fill her boots, in that regard.”

See Also: Watch: Pakistan Team departs for Sri Lanka ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 amid boycott controversy vs India

He also highlighted issues at the top of the order. “I believe in T20 cricket, when top order fires, the team tends to do well,” Nayar added. “Unfortunately how the season went for Kiran, it didn't pan out the way we wanted it to. It's been one of those seasons where it just didn't work out.”

In the match, UP Warriorz were limited to 122/8 after batting first. Deepti Sharma, Simran Shaikh and Shikha Pandey offered brief resistance, but no batter crossed 30. Delhi’s bowlers, led by Marizanne Kapp’s three wickets, kept things tight. Chasing 123, Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues guided Delhi home in 18.4 overs to seal a playoff spot.

The Pakistan cricket team has left for Sri Lanka to play in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. This comes even though the team may face action from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan has refused to play against India in the tournament.

A video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board showed the players wearing their new World Cup kit. They were seen boarding a bus from a hotel in Lahore and heading to the airport. Even though Pakistan is co-hosting the tournament with India, the team will play all its matches in Sri Lanka because of political tension between the two countries.

On Sunday, Pakistan shocked the cricket world when the government told the team to take part in the World Cup but boycott the group-stage match against India.

Watch the video here: 

PAKISTAN TEAM LEAVES FOR SRI LANKA. 🇵🇰pic.twitter.com/vbQWWfOXN1

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) February 2, 2026

Pakistan leave for T20 World Cup amid India boycott row

Pakistan left for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka on Monday and is waiting to see if the ICC will take action. The issue comes after Pakistan refused to play against India in the tournament. A video shared by the PCB showed players wearing their new World Cup jersey as they travelled from a hotel in Lahore to the airport.

Even though India is a co-host of the World Cup, Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka. This includes any knockout games. The decision was taken due to political tension between the two countries. Pakistan created shock on Sunday when the government told the team to play in the World Cup but skip the group match against India in Colombo on February 15. No clear reason was given. Reports say the PCB has not officially informed the ICC yet.

See also -Star RCB pacer likely to miss early phase of the T20 World Cup 2026; replacement announced

ICC warns of consequences

The ICC has warned Pakistan about possible punishment. It said that playing some matches and skipping others does not match the spirit of a global tournament. The ICC added that this decision is not good for world cricket or for fans, including those in Pakistan. Matches between India and Pakistan usually draw huge viewership and bring major income, as the two teams have not played a bilateral series for many years.

Players and PCB respond

The T20 World Cup will begin on Saturday, with Pakistan set to face the Netherlands. Pakistan will also play a warm-up match against Ireland on Wednesday in Colombo. After a 3-0 T20 series win over Australia in Lahore, captain Salman Ali Agha said the players would follow government orders. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also criticised the ICC, calling its actions unfair. He pointed to past cases where teams faced different treatment due to government decisions.

A day after the Pakistan government announced that their cricket team won’t feature in the clash against India, scheduled to feature on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, their former captain and premier all-rounder, Shahid Afridi, has reacted to the news through his viral post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The former member of the Pakistan 2009 T20 World Cup-winning team challenged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to prove itself as impartial and fair to every member. This stance from the PCB came after the ICC decided to boycott Bangladesh from the event due to their refusal to travel to India.

See Also: Sri Lanka face massive injury setback ahead of T20 World Cup 2026; probable replacement named

“I’ve always believed cricket can open doors when politics closes them. It’s regrettable that Pakistan won’t play India at the #T20WorldCup, but I stand behind my government’s decision. This is the moment for @ICC to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it is impartial, independent, and fair to every member.” Afridi expressed on his viral X post.

Shahid Afridi expresses his view on Pakistan’s refusal to play India in T20 WC 2026

Pakistan is in the same group with India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States of America (USA) as they play the curtain raiser against the Dutch side on February 07 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. In case of forfeiting the India game, they will get a massive penalty in the net run-rate, as a defeat against the other three games could see them getting disqualified. 

Ladies and Gentlemen Mr Shahid Afridi- Cousin of Shaquib Afridi, a commander of the terrorist group Harkat-ul-Ansar who was killed by the Indian forces in J&K India. pic.twitter.com/gL9oGwCTS1

— Meru (@MeruOnX) February 2, 2026

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 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 Pakistan government posted its views on X.

The ICC has asked the PCB to change this stance from their government and take a mutually accepted decision which will be in favor of the stakeholders and the broadcasters, as the India vs Pakistan game always holds a lucrative revenue in that department.

The Pakistan Super League 2026 has suffered another setback because an experienced overseas player withdrew from the tournament. The defending champions Lahore Qalandars announced on February 2 that Namibia all-rounder David Wiese will not take part in the upcoming season because of personal commitments.

Wiese has been a central figure in Lahore Qalandars’ journey over the years because he has been associated with the franchise since 2019. The veteran all-rounder played a key role in the team’s most successful period which saw him win the PSL trophy three times in 2022 2023 and 2025.

David Wiese withdraws from PSL 2026

Wiese announced his news through social media when he explained that he withdrew because of unexpected events and vital family obligations. The 40-year-old player who has an emotional connection with the Qalandars told fans that he intends to come back to the team next year. He also confirmed that he would remain a supporter of the team while watching PSL 2026 from a distance.

The Lahore Qalandars management fully supported Wiese’s choice. Sameen Rana the franchise owner recognized Wiese’s extended service to the team because he helped develop younger athletes while competing on the field.

Watch the video:

Gutted to be missing out on the PSL this year due to some family commitments. Will really miss being with my LQ family, but will continue cheering them on from home.

This isn’t a permanent goodbye to PSL though! I’ll be back.#QalandarDilSe pic.twitter.com/6QYsWUVx1d

— David Wiese (@David_Wiese) February 2, 2026

ALSO SEE: Know qualification scenario for Pakistan after boycotting IND-PAK T20 World Cup 2026 game

International players keep withdrawing from the PSL 2026 competition

Wiese's withdrawal from the competition marks another addition to the increasing roster of absent international players for this season. England batter Harry Brook recently withdrew from the tournament, while former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was ruled out after suffering a thumb ligament injury during SA20 2026. Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has also reportedly pulled out, choosing to prioritise fitness ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

A look at Wiese’s PSL legacy

Wiese’s absence will be a significant blow for Lahore. He played 54 PSL matches for the Qalandars where he scored 629 runs with a strike rate of 161.69 and took 38 wickets. He first appeared in PSL matches with Karachi Kings during 2018 before establishing himself as a key player for Lahore's championship-winning teams. The Lahore Qalandars must now adjust their overseas player strategy because PSL 2026 approaches and they lost one of their key players.

Team India fast bowler Prasidh Krishna showed his fiery bowling in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy match between Punjab and Karnataka on Sunday, February 1. The pacer dismissed Emanjot Singh Chahal with a brilliant delivery on the fourth and final day of the match.

The wicket came in the 80th over of Punjab’s innings. Krishna bowled a full-length ball, and the batter failed to bring his bat down in time. As a result, the off stump and middle stump were knocked over.

Sharing the video on X, the BCCI wrote: “Sound of timber. Prasidh Krishna produces a beauty again to dismiss Emanjot Chahal.”

Watch the video here:

Sound of Timber 🔊

Prasidh Krishna produces a beauty again to dismiss Emanjot Chahal 🔥#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/LjgBHiD3a3

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 1, 2026

Prasidh Krishna shines with the ball for Karnataka

Prasidh Krishna finished with figures of 3/49 as Karnataka bowled out Punjab for 256 in their second innings. This was his fourth wicket in the match. The 29-year-old has been in good form in recent months.

He recently took five wickets against Rajasthan in the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. After that, Krishna picked up three wickets in the first two ODI matches against New Zealand in January. Earlier, he took nine wickets in the three-match ODI series against South Africa last year.

With no ODI or Test matches coming soon, Krishna will next play for Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2026. The Ahmedabad-based team retained him for INR 9.5 crore last year. He took 25 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 8.27 last season.

See also -Watch: Pakistan unveil T20 World Cup 2026 official Kit amid match boycott controversy vs India

Karnataka vs Punjab match likely to end in a draw

Despite Krishna’s strong bowling, the Ranji Trophy match between Karnataka and Punjab is moving towards a draw.

Punjab scored 309 runs in their first innings. Emanjot Singh Chahal made 83 runs, while Abhijeet Garg scored 81. For Karnataka, Vidyadhar Patil took four wickets and Shreyas Gopal claimed three.

Karnataka replied with 316 runs, taking a small lead of seven runs. Shreyas Gopal and KL Rahul scored half-centuries. Harpreet Brar was the best bowler for Punjab with four wickets.

In their second innings, Punjab were all out for 256 runs. Captain Uday Sharan top-scored with 93.

Chasing a target of 250, Karnataka reached 94/1 in 11.3 overs. Captain Devdutt Padikkal and Mayank Agarwal were batting at the crease. KL Rahul was out for 13 runs.

So far this season, Karnataka have won two of their six Ranji Trophy matches. Punjab have won only one match out of six.

Australian batter Usman Khawaja has come out strongly in support of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq after the bowler was once again subjected to 'chucking' allegations during the ongoing T20I series against Australia.

Khawan used an opinion from cricket journalist Paul Dennett to express his deep sympathy for Tariq because he believed that the criticism directed at Tariq was both unfair and harmful to him. "There aren't many things worse than being called a 'chucker' in cricket," Khawaja wrote on social media. "The stigma is real. The man is just doing his best and has been cleared twice. We should maintain proper perspective while understanding the situation instead of making immediate judgments about it.

Green’s gesture sparks backlash as Pakistan defend Tariq’s cleared bowling action

The controversy began during the second T20I at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium where Pakistan achieved a 90-run victory over Australia to establish an unassailable 2-0 series lead. The public reacted negatively when Cameron Green of Australia copied Tariqs throwing motion after Tariq dismissed him during the run chase.

🚨 USMAN KHAWAJA INSTAGRAM STORY ON USMAN TARIQ pic.twitter.com/pDekGQJnMg

— usman (@cricbyusman) February 2, 2026

ALSO SEE: PCB announces Pakistan Shaheens squad for white-ball series against England Lions

Tariq played his third T20I match and achieved bowling statistics of 2 wickets which he took for 16 runs during 2.4 overs before he later dismissed Matthew Kuhnemann and Australia suffered a collapse that led to 108 runs. No evidence exists to show that Australian players or match officials filed a formal complaint about his throwing style.

The behavior of Green was disapproved by Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha who stated that only umpires and match referees possess the right to evaluate bowling techniques. The unorthodox bowling style that Tariq uses results from his physical condition according to him because he has a naturally bent double-jointed elbow. He has passed two biomechanical assessments at Lahore's National Cricket Academy which confirmed his fitness to play during both tests and Pakistan Super League matches.

Tariq continues to be part of Pakistan's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 squad despite the ongoing situation because Pakistan has decided to boycott their match against India. Tariq needs to perform well at the World Cup to prove his abilities because senior players like Khawaja support him while people watch his progression.

The Pakistan cricket team has officially boycotted its Group A match against the India cricket team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, following direct instructions from the Pakistan government. The decision was confirmed on February 1 amid escalating geo-political tensions between the two nations.

The move was taken in coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and is also understood to be a show of solidarity with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament. The boycott will force Pakistan to compete under more difficult conditions because Pakistan needs to win two matches in order to qualify for the next stage.

Pakistan to forfeit points after India boycott

Pakistan will lose two important Group A points because they chose not to play India. The group has five teams which will compete through four matches and only the two top-performing teams will advance to the Super Eight stage. Pakistan must win all their upcoming matches because the boycott gives them no room for mistakes.

How Pakistan can still qualify for the Super Eight

Pakistan needs favorable results to achieve their advancement despite facing their current challenge. The qualification scenario is straightforward but unforgiving:

ALSO SEE: PCB announces Pakistan Shaheens squad for white-ball series against England Lions

• Pakistan’s maximum possible points: 6
• Pakistan must win all remaining three matches
• Any defeat will almost certainly end Super Eight hopes
• The Net Run Rate will determine results when teams reach equal standings

Pakistan will likely win against Namibia while both Netherlands and USA present real difficulties. The USA which defeated Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup makes this match particularly important for both teams.

Led by Salman Agha, Pakistan now head into the tournament knowing that one slip-up could end their campaign early. The 'Men in Green' will determine their response to early elimination at the point it occurs.

Pakistan’s Group A schedule

India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has been included in Mumbai’s squad for the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 quarter-final, marking his return to red-ball cricket after missing most of the season due to illness. Jaiswal was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis in late 2025 which resulted in his hospitalization after he played a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match.

The illness prevented Jaiswal from playing Ranji Trophy matches with Mumbai yet he performed exceptionally well during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy despite having limited playing time. The left-hander scored at an impressive average of 48.33 across three innings, highlighted by a blistering 50-ball 101 against Haryana, underlining his match-winning ability in the shortest format.

Jaiswal played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite 2025–26 after recovering from his illness, where he achieved an average of 21.33. The selectors chose different top-order players for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad because his white-ball games were insufficient to meet selection requirements.

Mumbai recall Jaiswal for Karnataka clash as Thakur makes comeback

Mumbai's senior selection committee has selected Jaiswal for the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Karnataka, which will take place on February 6 according to Indian Express journalist Devendra Pandey. The match will also see the return of Shardul Thakur, who missed the early part of the season due to injury and will lead the Mumbai side.

ALSO SEE: Sri Lanka face massive injury setback ahead of T20 World Cup 2026; probable replacement named

The Mumbai team has important players who include Tushar Deshpande, Tanush Kotian, Musheer Khan and Ajinkya Rahane. The quarter-final match will not include Sarfaraz Khan because he suffered a hamstring injury during the group stage.

Jaiswal has had an unsteady selection schedule throughout the year but his performances in 2025 have shown him to be very successful. He scored 745 Test runs at an average of 39.2, averaged 57 in ODIs, and struck 704 IPL runs at a strike rate of 161.5.

Jaiswal uses the Indian Test team as his main platform but he must compete against established opening pairs in ODIs and T20Is which makes his Ranji Trophy return essential for advancing his case.

Sri Lanka didn’t have a great time ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 as their pacer has been ruled out of the event after picking up the injury during the home three-match T20I series against England. This is the final preparation for the co-host and the Three Lions right before the competition. England has sealed the series already by a 2-0 insurmountable margin.  

It was a rain-affected game at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, where the massive blow came after the rain delay when Eshan Malinga dislocated his shoulder on the very first ball after the break. The bowler slips a high full toss and tumbles onto the ground instantly, clutching his left shoulder.

See Also: ICC to hold key board meeting over Pakistan forfeiting India clash in T20 World Cup 2026

That ball was tucked into the deep square for a single, but the bowler looked in serious pain. The physio came out to check the condition before he was helped off the field. It has been reported that he would miss the tournament with the shoulder injury, and he will travel to Colombo for scans.

Eshan Malinga likely to miss T20 World Cup 2026 for Sri Lanka

Malinga is expected to be out of action for nearly six to eight weeks. It’s a setback for the team as they look for a few replacements in the event. Dilshan Madushanka is a probable name that has come out of the list with the left-arm pacer picking 15 wickets in 15 innings of the shortest format at an economy rate of 9.75. However, his last T20I came in July 2024 against India at Kandy.

Eshan Malinga is likely to be ruled out of World Cup after dislocating his shoulder last night. The player will travel to Colombo for scans and it’s believed he will be out of action for four to six weeks. Either Dilshan Madushanka or Pramod Madushan is likely to replace him.

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) February 2, 2026

Another option for them will be Pramod Madhusan, who has bagged 12 wickets in eight T20I innings at an economy rate of 8.63. However, he is also not a regular member of the national side in the shortest format, with the previous assignment being in April 2023 against New Zealand in Queenstown.

Sri Lanka will begin their campaign on February 08 at the R. Premadasa Stadium against Ireland before heading to Kandy for the morning fixture against Oman on February 12. Their third game will be against Australia at the same venue before returning to Colombo against Zimbabwe.