The Indian team is up against their arch-rivals Pakistan in the 27th match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on February 15, Sunday. On winning the toss, Pakistan invited India to bat first. Unlike what fans would have anticipated, India's star opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the very first over. 

He registered his second duck in the ongoing tournament. However, what followed his wicket was impressive and exciting. Ishan Kishan, another left-hand batter, smashed the Pakistan bowlers all around the park. He played some extraordinary shots and took on the bowlers really well. The left-handed batter didn't shy away from hitting away a bad delivery, putting the Pakistan bowlers under pressure. 

While he was batting, he welcomed Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed's bowling with a six, leaving the bowlers watching the ball as it sailed into the stands. The 27-year-old batter kept the crowd on their feet as he scored 77 off 40 balls, including ten boundaries and three sixes. He gave a powerful start to the innings, which was quite necessary for India. 

The fans seemed to enjoy Kishan's innings as he played a fearless game. He is in incredible form, showcasing his talent after making a comeback into the team after two years and two months. 

Watch the video here:

Shaheen 🤝 Abrar 🤝 First-ball six!@ishankishan51 is setting a template here! 👊

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/SpqYo6n3dL pic.twitter.com/4qnZUwQRIJ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 15, 2026

India post 175 runs on board against Pakistan

The Men in Blue posted the highest total against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup history. Thanks to Ishan Kishan's 77 and Suryakumar Yadav's 32 runs, India reached a respectable total on the board. Pakistan will have to chase the score to book a berth in the Super 8. 

India started the first innings by losing Abhishek Sharma, but Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan kept the scorecard going. Kishan, particularly, played an incredible innings. After his dismissal, SKY and Varma continued to score runs and formed a 57-run partnership. Apart from them, the rest of the batters failed to perform, including Hardik Pandya's duck, which is a rare occurrence. 

Pakistan's Saim Ayub was the star bowler, picking up three wickets in four overs, conceding just 25 runs. He also claimed two catches while fielding. Overall, it was a good performance from the Indian batters, and now everything will depend on the bowlers to take the game home. 

Amid rising tensions between the Indian and Pakistani men’s cricket teams, Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed has once again come into the spotlight, this time for an off-field comment. In a recent interview on a Pakistani YouTube channel, the 27-year-old leg-spinner was asked which cricketer he would like to face in a boxing ring.

The question put to him was, “Which player in the world would you want to stand in front of you in a boxing ring, someone you feel very angry about?” Abrar replied that he would like to box against former India opener Shikhar Dhawan.

The comment quickly grabbed attention after a clip from the interview went viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions from cricket fans.

Watch the video here:

Pakistani cricketer Abrar Ahmed said he’d like to do boxing with Shikhar Dhawan.

One word for him 👇 pic.twitter.com/yr7ZGwQJXe

— Kusha Sharma  (@Kushacritic) February 5, 2026

Also read -Watch: The winning moments of RCB when they won the WPL 2026 Trophy

Uncertainty Grows Over India–Pakistan Match at T20 World Cup 2026

Uncertainty has increased around the high-profile India–Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup 2026 after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that his team will not play the scheduled Group A match. The two sides were set to face each other on February 15 in Colombo, but Sharif stated that Pakistan has decided not to take part in the fixture.

Sharif Explains Pakistan’s Stand

While addressing Pakistan’s cabinet on Wednesday, Sharif said the decision was based on principles rather than cricket. He stressed that sports should be kept separate from political issues. He also added that Pakistan’s position is linked to standing with Bangladesh, calling the decision well thought out and appropriate. According to Sharif, Pakistan believes there should be no politics on the sports field.

The Prime Minister’s comments came amid reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet officially informed the International Cricket Council about the decision. Due to the lack of formal communication, the ICC is reportedly unable to take the next steps, leaving the situation unresolved.

Australian batting superstar Steve Smith is back in the headlines after becoming the most expensive player in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history. He has been signed by the Sialkot Stallionz for the 11th season of the PSL, and his price tag has surprised everyone.

Smith has been paid more than double the amount of Pakistan’s batting star and former captain Babar Azam, setting a new record in the league. This signing comes just days after Smith was unexpectedly left out of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad.

Interestingly, Smith went unsold in the IPL Auction for the 2026 season in December 2025. His deal with the debutant Sialkot Stallionz makes this signing even more remarkable.

The PSL has always made headlines with big-money signings. Franchises spend huge amounts to get top players, both international stars and local talents. These players not only strengthen their teams but also draw huge fan attention. Here’s a look at the most expensive players in PSL history.

Also read -Smriti Mandhana eyes legendary Australian Player record in WPL 2026 final vs Delhi Capitals

Most Expensive Players in PSL History

1. Steve Smith 

Australian batting superstar Steve Smith became the most expensive player in PSL history after being signed by the debutant franchise Sialkot Stallionz for the 11th season. The deal was remarkable because Smith had gone unsold in the 2026 IPL Auction, making this PSL signing even more dramatic. Known for his consistent batting and ability to anchor innings, Smith will be the key player for Sialkot Stallionz this season.

2. Babar Azam 

Pakistan’s top-order batter and former captain, Babar Azam, was signed by Karachi Kings in 2023 for a whopping 7 crore. His elegant stroke play and consistency make him one of the most valuable players in the league. Babar has been a mainstay for his franchise, leading from the front and often turning matches around with his batting.

3. Shaheen Afridi

Pace sensation Shaheen Afridi, signed by Lahore Qalandars for 7 crore in 2024, is one of the most lethal fast bowlers in the PSL. Known for his ability to bowl at high speed and pick crucial wickets, Shaheen has repeatedly changed the course of matches for his franchise. His consistent performances have earned him one of the top contracts in PSL history.

4. Shadab Khan

Talented leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan was signed by Islamabad United in 2022 for 7 crore. Known for his wicket-taking ability and handy lower-order batting, Shadab has been an integral part of his team. His fielding and leadership qualities make him one of the most complete players in the league.

5. Abrar Ahmed 

Rising fast-bowling star Abrar Ahmed joined Multan Sultans in 2025 for a record price of 7 crore. His strong domestic and international performances had already made him a promising talent, and his PSL deal reflects his growing reputation. Abrar’s ability to bowl consistently in the death overs makes him a crucial asset for his franchise.

The 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Subcontinental tracks are expected to be the tactical bowlers' dream. Even though India is still expanding beyond batting, the masters of the white ball will eventually choose who wins the 2026 trophy.

These 5 bowlers have the skills they need to do well in a T20I era when scores often go above 200 runs.

1. Varun Chakaravarthy (India)

The "Mystery Spinner" made the most spectacular return in modern cricket history. Varun Chakaravarthy, India's best tactical weapon, will be the ICC's best T20I bowler at the 2026 World Cup. He had a great year in 2025, when he beat South Africa and England. Now, his ability to deliver leg-breaks and googlies from almost the same seam positions makes him almost impossible to read.

Varun Chakaravarthy is known for his great control during the powerplay overs, when he has consistently stopped the other team's openers with his variations. His economy rate of less than 7 runs per over in high-scoring games shows that he can keep most aggressive batting lineups from scoring big scores. His partnership with his duo spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs is now India's strongest weapon, constructing a spin web that won't be easy for any team out there to tackle.

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Top 3 Lowest Team Scores in the ICC T20 World Cup History

2. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) 

No "watch out" list would be complete without the Afghan wizard. Rashid Khan enters 2026 as probably the most successful T20I bowler, having recently become the first to hit the 180-wicket milestone. His lightning-fast arm motion maintains the gold standard in T20I bowling.  

Rashid's years of working with tropical climates render him almost unplayable on the spinning track. The leg-spinner's variations, particularly a faster delivery and an unusual googly, keep hitters guessing throughout his spell. His leadership and calm approach under pressure contributed to Afghanistan's bowling power, making them a serious contender for the title.

3. Jacob Duffy (New Zealand) 

Jacob Duffy, possibly the most surprising name to some, has been the highest wicket-taker in 2025 for the Kiwis. He recently broke Sir Richard Hadlee's 40-year record for the most international wickets by a New Zealander in a single year, collecting 81 last year. His ability to manage the new ball alongside subtle pace alterations in the death overs has catapulted him into the top five in the world rankings, positioning him as the spearhead of the Kiwi attack. 

Duffy's success relies on his versatility and cricket intellect. Unlike typical fast bowlers who concentrate purely on pace, Duffy has perfected the knack of reading circumstances and modifying his angles accordingly. His yorkers in the death overs have proven lethal, with hitters striving to get beneath them for important boundary hits. His fitness and consistency in bowling four overs make him a key addition to New Zealand's campaign.

3. Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan)

Abrar Ahmed, who is now ranked No. 2 in the ICC, is Pakistan's solution to the spin-heavy conditions in the subcontinent. Abrar, who is famed for his "finger-spun" mystery bowling, has been quite decent in the middle overs. He came into the competition with a career-best ICC rating of 748.

The emerging star from Pakistan is known for breaking up important partnerships, often taking crucial wickets when batsmen seem to be in charge. His record against left-handed batters is especially excellent since his different types of pitches make it hard for left-handed batters to take control of the middle overs.

5. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) 

With half of the competition taking place in Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga is probably the most deadly player on home turf. He is a consistent match-winner who rates among the top five in the world and thrives under the stress of captaincy. His control of the googly and excellent wicket-taking record against the best batting units in Colombo gives him an extra advantage over the tournament's leading wicket-taker. 

Wanindu Hasaranga's all-around abilities increase his value, as his fearless hitting in the lower order often leads to important runs. The Sri Lankan skipper has an incredible ability to scoop up wickets in a row, frequently dismantling middle orders on his own. His achievements in previous matches on home soil were nothing short of outstanding, and his comfort with the conditions offers him a psychological advantage over visiting teams.

Chattogram Royals are facing some problems ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). A few overseas players have pulled out of the tournament. Team mentor and batting coach Tushar Imran spoke about the issue. He said that the absence of foreign players is a concern, but the team is confident of putting out a strong playing XI from the first match.

Chattogram were already informed that Sri Lankan batter Angelo Perera would not be available for the BPL. Now, more players have pulled out. These include wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella, Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed, and Ireland captain Paul Stirling. On Tuesday, Tushar Imran spoke to the media and explained the reasons behind these withdrawals.

Talking about Dickwella, Tushar said, “We know about Dickwella’s situation. He has been selected in Sri Lanka’s T20 squad, and because of this, the board is not giving him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).”

Also Read -England face another massive setback ahead of 4th Ashes 2025/26 Boxing Day Test

🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Abrar Ahmed has pulled himself out of the BPL, despite receiving an official NOC.

❗ No reason has been disclosed for his withdrawal so far.#BPL #Pakistan #CricketNews pic.twitter.com/UmyP0l4Qwm

— Shadman Sakib Arnob (@arnuX05) December 23, 2025

Overseas Players Pull Out

Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed was unsure until the last moment. Tushar Imran said they were in talks with him, but Pakistan did not release him in time.

Talking about Paul Stirling, Tushar said the decision came from the player himself. Stirling chose to withdraw from the tournament on his own.

Even after these setbacks, Tushar Imran is positive that Chattogram Royals will not face major problems in team selection. He confirmed that South African all-rounder Cameron Delport and Pakistan batter Kamran Ghulam are still part of the squad and will join the team soon.

Read More -Watch: Fans chanting 'Mumbai Cha Raja' as Rohit Sharma on field for Vijay Hazare Trophy match

Focus on Team Balance

As per BPL rules, teams can play up to four overseas players in the playing XI. Tushar said Chattogram plans to use all four overseas players. He added that team balance will not be a big issue, as seven local players will also play.

However, the main challenge is the batting order. Most of the available overseas players are openers. Chattogram are now looking for a strong middle-order batter.

Tushar explained that Dickwella and Stirling are top-order players. The team already has several local openers like Joy, Naim Sheikh, and young batter Robin. Even the backup players are mostly openers.

He added that the team is in talks with Kamran Ghulam, who is a strong middle-order batter. The management is also speaking to other players who can bat in the middle order.

Chattogram Royals have made a big signing ahead of the 12th season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Abrar Ahmed, a mystery spinner from Pakistan, has officially joined the team. He is their first foreign player of the season.

Abrar is known for his tricky variations and good control in longer formats, so he will help Chattogram a lot with their spin attack. The 25-year-old has been on the radar of many BPL teams after his strong performances in international cricket. Chattogram managed to sign him before the competition for him increased.

Also Read -WPL 2026: Top 3 Players UP Warriorz Must Target in the WPL Mega Auction

More Signings for Chattogram

Along with Abrar, Chattogram earlier signed Bangladesh all-rounder Mahedi Hasan. The experienced all-rounder is a valuable player in all formats. He gives the team strong power-hitting and reliable off-spin.

চট্টগ্রাম রয়্যালস দলে পাকিস্তানের মিস্ট্রি স্পিনার আবরার আহমদ#BangladeshCricket #BDCricTime pic.twitter.com/AXKo6MpiYv

— bdcrictime.com (@BDCricTime) November 25, 2025

BPL Teams Start Building Squads

This season’s BPL is going through big changes. There will be 6 teams in the league, and the competition has already shifted because of changes in ownership.

Other teams have also started building their squads. Dhaka Capitals have signed Saif Hassan, Taskin Ahmed and Alex Hales. Rajshahi Warriors have picked Tanzid Hasan Tamim. Rangpur Riders have signed Mustafizur Rahman. Sylhet Titans are in the news after signing Moeen Ali, Kusal Mendis, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Amir as their foreign players.

The Pakistan mystery spinner, Abrar Ahmed, has dropped a stunning statement during a recent interaction where he revealed his desire to punch the former left-handed opening batter of the Indian side, Shikhar Dhawan. It’s a surprising statement given the spinner didn’t face the southpaw ever in his international career, with Dhawan retiring or getting dropped from the side way back before Abrar’s debut.

The 27-year-old Pakistan spinner made his debut in Tests in 2022 and picked up 46 wickets in 19 innings at an average of over 34 with a strike rate of 57. While in the white-ball formats, he has collected 47 wickets in 33 innings at an average of around 20. The former Indian player, Shikhar Dhawan, on the other hand, had already reached the fag end of his career by then.

See Also: "Pakistan hasn't won..."- GT star drops massive statement on Mohsin Naqvi's Asia Cup 2025 Trophy-stealing drama

“I want to do boxing, and Shikhar Dhawan stands before me.” Abrar expressed that the video went viral on various social media platforms. The presenter even asked if Dhawan would be prepared to take the punch from the Pakistan spinner.

Watch: Abrar Ahmed wishes to use Shikhar Dhawan as punching bag as video goes viral

Dhawan has featured in 34 Test matches and smashed 2315 runs at an average of 40.61 with seven centuries and five half-centuries at the best score of 190. In the ODIs, the left-handed opener has cracked 6793 runs in 164 innings at an average of 44.11 with 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries, while in T20Is, he has clubbed 1759 runs at an average of under 28.

Pak cricketer Abrar says he wants to have 'Shekhar' Dhawan @SDhawan25 as his punching bag.
pic.twitter.com/isJk6Yaql4

— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) October 5, 2025

Abrar didn’t face India in the group stage of the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025. However, in the Super 4 stage of the tournament against the Blue Brigade, he ended with figures of 1/42, while in the final, he picked up one wicket for 29 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India went through an unbeaten campaign as they clinched their ninth title of the tournament. They, however, decided not to collect the trophy from the PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, who later ran away with the trophy and denied India the cup.

Indian players Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Jitesh Sharma playfully trolled Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed after India won the 2025 Asia Cup final by five wickets. Standing near the boundary ropes, the three mimicked Ahmed’s usual celebration, crossing their hands and shaking their heads as if saying ‘Get out’. Arshdeep shared the video on Instagram. Sanju Samson, who scored 20 runs in the final, was also in the frame but looked uninterested in the fun. 

India claimed their ninth Asia Cup title with a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan, thanks to Tilak Varma’s match-winning 69* off 53 balls. Chasing 147, India struggled early, falling to 20/3 after Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf dismissed Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shubman Gill cheaply with clever slower balls.

Tilak Varma stabilized the innings with two important stands: a partnership of 57 runs with Sanju Samson and a 60-run partnership with Shivam Dube (33 off 21 balls). Varma’s measured but aggressive innings kept India well placed. The game turned in the 15th over when Haris Rauf conceded 17 runs to Tilak. Tilak created increasing pressure on Pakistan, plugging the field with his driving and pulling.

India won by 5 wickets in Asia Cup 2025 Final

Rauf gave away 50 runs in 3.4 overs, including the six Tilak hit into the mid-wicket stands in the final over. Rinku Singh then hit the winning boundary to seal India’s tense chase. Earlier, Pakistan started strongly with Fakhar Zaman (46) and Sahibzada Farhan (57), putting together 113/1.

Watch the video here

INDIAN PLAYERS DOING ABRAR CELEBRATION...!!! 😂🔥pic.twitter.com/3trZCTzGmr

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 28, 2025

See Also: [Watch] Tilak Varma smashes Haris Rauf for stunning six under pressure in final over of IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025

Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav (4/30) set off a collapse as he took nine wickets for only 33 runs for Pakistan. Axar Patel (2/26) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/30) were good support acts while Jasprit Bumrah took 2 late wickets including Haris Rauf in a cheeky half plane-crash toss of a gesture of dismissal. The match was a great team win for India with players displaying resilience and Tilak Varma’s outstanding contribution under pressure.

During the Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Sheik Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, a funny reaction took place between Abrar Ahmed and Wanindu Hasaranga, where the former replicated the latter’s celebration after dismissing the batter during the game. The former Pakistan captain, Waqar Younis, joked about his missing finger while imitating Hasaranga’s celebration.

During the 13th over of the innings of the Sri Lanka side, Abra dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga with a googly as the all-rounder attempted a slog sweep, and once he missed the ball, the middle stump was rattled. Abrar mimicked Hasaranga’s celebration but quickly asked his teammates about the actual celebration.

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The camera captured the moment and drew laughter. The commentary box saw the two veteran Younis and Russell Arnold copying the same celebration as the former suddenly remembered that he didn’t have the finger to join the celebration. Poor Younis couldn’t repeat the same as Arnold looked shocked for a moment.

Watch: Waqar Younis gives funny reaction to replicate Wanindu Hasaranga’s celebration in PAK vs SL clash

When he was 15 years old, a tragic accident happened to him while swimming with his cousins in a canal in Multan when he attempted to climb through the wet iron grills, and he lost his balance, losing one finger. It also left him with only three broken ribs. He didn’t realize that he had lost a finger initially, but the sharp pain and the blood covering his body made the injury.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Muhammad Shafay Hussain Asif, Digital creator (@shaffairs12)

That was a setback to Waqar’s body but not his ambitions. It helped him to grow the knowledge of reverse swing and become one of the greatest fast bowlers of the Pakistan side, along with Wasim Akram, to dominate world cricket.

Sri Lanka was reduced to 133/8 in their allotted 20 overs of the first innings as Kamindu Mendis was the lone run-getter with 50 runs in 44 balls with the help of three boundaries and two sixes. Pakistan struggled in the chase but completed it successfully by five wickets and two balls to spare, thanks to the unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 58 runs.

An out-and-out entertaining match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The match got more intense during the second innings when Pakistan went into the Dubai International Stadium pitch for chasing a target of 134 runs in 20 overs. Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed quickly realized how his own medicine tastes as Sri Lanka star Wanindu Hasaranga mocked him back.

The battle between Ahmad and Hasaranga took the on-field rivalry between these two countries to new heights. It was Abrar who first mocked Hasaranga during the first innings of the match, when Sri Lanka was batting. The Pakistan spinner took the wicket of the Sri Lankan all-rounder, and then out of nowhere he replicated Hasaranga's trademark celebration to mock him.

The Galle-born quietly headed back to the dressing room after scoring 15 off 13 with two boundaries. Ahmed bowled him out. In the second innings, it was Hasaranga's turn to mock the opponent player back. Hasaranga mocked Ahmed multiple times. First, when he took a one-handed catch to dismiss Fakhar Zaman, and then after taking the wicket of Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, Hasaranga copied Abrar Ahmed's celebration. When Hasaranga was mocking Abrar, the focus of the camera quickly shifted to the Pakistan dugout where Ahmed was sitting; he had no choice but to see Hasaranga replicating his wicket-taking celebration.

Watch Hasaranga's reaction here

Abrar copied Hasaranga and now Hasaranga mimics Abrar, not once, but twice

Pakistan v Sri Lanka rivalry brewingpic.twitter.com/d2ADw8RGbv

— Lord Immy Kant (@KantInEastt) September 23, 2025

Read More: WATCH: Shaheen Afridi strikes in the second ball during SL vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match

The rivalry between two spinner intensified Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Asia and 2025 match

Abrar smiled a little to ease down the situation. In the first innings, Abrar Ahmed bowled brilliantly against Sri Lanka. In his 4-over spell, the spinner claimed one wicket against only 8 runs, which made his economy rate 2.00. 

In the second innings, Hasaranga claimed 2 wickets in his 4-over quota at an economy rate of 6.75, which was not enough to defend their total. Sri Lanka suffered back-to-back defeats in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. And Pakistan bounced back after a heavy loss against India.