The latest salvo fired by Pakistan is centred around its refusal to play against India in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup fixture in Colombo on February 15. The Bangladesh Cricket Board cited security concerns and requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift its four early games away from India. The ICC refused to budge and inevitably Scotland replaced Bangladesh in Group C. Pakistan’s reaction to this latest development has been theatrical. However, with the latest conservative turn in Bangladeshi politics, with one former Prime Minister in asylum in India, Pakistan senses a pathway to forge an ‘Islamist brotherhood’ with Dhaka. The ICC T20 World Cup awaits its start on February 7 while Asian solidarity lies in tatters.

Source: The Hindu February 03, 2026 20:12 UTC