Faruque acknowledged concerns about a possible ICC embargo but avoided firm predictions.

Prices of flights and hotel bookings to Colombo, Sri Lanka, have soared as thousands of fans flock to the city to watch India play Pakistan on Sunday in cricket's Twenty20 World Cup.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said on Tuesday that the decision not to travel to India for the ongoing 10th edition of the T20 World Cup, also being co-hosted by Sri Lanka, was made by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the cricketers.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan hit a solid half-century while spinner Usman Tariq grabbed three wickets as Pakistan downed the United States by 32 runs in a T20 World Cup Group A game in Colombo on Tuesday.

The outcome of the tripartite discussions between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Lahore on Sunday is yet to be officially disclosed, but speculation over it have run amok yesterday, completely overshadowing Pakistan’s bid for revenge against the USA in an ICC T20 World Cup match today.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a press release on Monday night, referring to the outcomes of a tripartite meeting involving the world governing body, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), held over the last two days in Lahore.

During a meeting with ICC officials at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi outlined the conditions.

England took their time. Sam Curran, entrusted with the crucial final over with 10 runs to defend, first consulted skipper Harry Brook before conferring with the experienced wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul has reportedly flown to Pakistan early on Sunday morning to attend an emergency virtual meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Pakistan's boycott of the India-Pakistan World Cup match on February 15.

Force Majeure is usually reserved for extreme events such as wars, natural disasters or political upheaval. Under ICC rules, however, a government directive also qualifies — giving the PCB legal cover, at least on paper.

The Pakistan Cricket Board reached out to the ICC after a formal communication from the cricket's world body, a source close to the developments told AFP.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has long been a proving ground for associate nations, a place where emerging teams test their growth against the game’s elite.

The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup begins today in India and Sri Lanka. Ahead of the marquee T20 event, here we look at some interesting facts:

The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup begins today in Sri Lanka and India. Although the tournament build-up has been dominated by chaotic off-field developments -- with Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland following a row with the ICC and Pakistan boycotting their high-stakes group-stage clash against India in solidarity with Bangladesh -- here is a snapshot of the 20 teams participating in the marquee event.

International cricket tournaments have often been disrupted by political tensions and security fears, leading teams to refuse travel to host nations. From 1996 ICC World Cup to 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, many teams have refused to travel to host countries, citing different reasons that resulted in walkovers and replacements. There is also an instance of introducing a hybrid model when India refused to travel to Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The instances are given below:

The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins today in India and Sri Lanka against the backdrop of a chaotic build-up dominated by political turmoil, which eventually saw Bangladesh replaced by Scotland and Pakistan boycotting their high-stakes group-stage fixture against arch-rivals India in solidarity with Bangladesh.

Former England captain turned cricket pundit Nasser Hussain said he supported Bangladesh’s stance of not travelling to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup and praised Pakistan for standing by Bangladesh.

The T20 World Cup begins on Saturday in India and Sri Lanka, with a chance for fresh faces to shine in the global spotlight.

The Sydney Morning Herald, citing industry sources involved in confidential negotiations, reported that each India-Pakistan game carries an estimated value of around USD 250 million, given its billion-plus global audience.

The ICC and the World Cricketers Association (WCA) are locked in a fresh dispute over player terms, including name, image and likeness (NIL) rights, ahead of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, reports ESPNCricinfo.