DRS, Feb 3: ICC at Pakistan's mercy, BCCI to prepare for IND vs PAK match and Tilak Varma fit & firing
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ICC is in dire straits and is actually at Pakistan’s mercy. India won’t veer off their plan and will travel to Sri Lanka. Tilak Varma’s back on the field and has continued scoring runs. However, Australia’s Josh Hazlewood could miss the T20 World Cup 2026.
ICC to suffer loss?
If Pakistan boycotts the India match in the T20 World Cup, the ICC could lose INR 2289 crore. A game between the two arch-rivals is valued at a quarter of a billion dollars. If it doesn’t go ahead as planned, the broadcast will suffer losses, which means the ICC will have either to pay them or renegotiate the deal.
BCCI won’t change plans
Despite the Pakistan government stating they won’t play India, the BCCI has instructed the Men in Blue to follow the ICC protocol. Suryakumar Yadav’s team will travel to Sri Lanka, hold practice sessions, and attend press conferences. They’ll even reach the stadium and wait for the match referee to call the game off.
Tilak Varma back in action
India ‘A’ claimed an easy victory over the USA in their T20 World Cup warm-up match at Navi Mumbai. Tilak Varma was in the spotlight, and he made 38 off 24 while batting at number three. Riyan Parag and Mayank Yadav, both of whom were injured, played in the game but had minimal impact.
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PCB in no trouble
Former ICC and PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani thinks the ICC can’t impose a sanction on the PCB for boycotting the India vs Pakistan match. Mani stated that PCB can’t be held accountable because it’s the Pakistani government that’s calling the shots. Mani added that the ICC underestimated the current PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, and is to blame for the mess.
Cricketers can’t do much
Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha was asked whether he wants to play India on February 15. Agha simply stated that Pakistan cricketers don’t have any power in the situation and will follow whatever the PCB Chairman and the Pakistan government instruct them to do.
Another injury issue for Australia
Josh Hazlewood could miss the group stage of the T20 World Cup. The Australian fast bowler hasn’t played any cricket since early November and picked up another during his rehab. Australia is hopeful Hazlewood will be fit for the Super 8 stage. The Men in Yellow have already lost Pat Cummins to injury.