"How did we get to the World Cup? In Italy we say 'miracolo Italiano', an 'Italian miracle'," said Riccardo Maggio, development officer with the Italian Cricket Federation.

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.

On a bright evening at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday, Scotland took the field against the West Indies to begin their campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup -- a stage that was originally meant for Bangladesh, not the Scots.

Durbar will now face Dhumketu XI in Monday’s final at the same venue. Dhumketu had earlier beaten Duronto by six wickets before suffering a narrow two-wicket defeat to Durbar.

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.

Shepherd grabbed four wickets in five balls in the 17th over to put an end to Scotland's hopes of chasing their target of 183.

Faheem Ashraf smashed an unbeaten 29 off 11 balls as Pakistan scrambled past the Netherlands by three wickets to avoid a massive shock in the curtain-raiser of the T20 World Cup in Colombo on Saturday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday confirmed pacer Pramod Madushan as the replacement for Sri Lanka quick Eshan Malinga, who was ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup on home soil after dislocating his shoulder against England last week.

Politics has always been an inseparable part of cricket. It has been so since the days of the Imperial Cricket Council – the previous name of the International Cricket Council – when being a member of the Commonwealth was one of the prerequisites for becoming a Test nation.

Sri Lanka's cricket board on Thursday asked Pakistan to reconsider its decision to boycott their first-round encounter with arch-rival India in the T20 World Cup co-hosted by the island.

Half-centuries from captain Litton Das and Saif Hassan after a three-wicket haul from leg-spinner Rishad Hossain powered Dhumketu XI to a comfortable six-wicket win over Duronto XI in the opening match of the three-team Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.

"It's sad Bangladesh are not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully they will support us," Agha said.

The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to platform the game’s latest trends, where it’s expected that co-hosts and reigning champions India will be at the forefront.

Mustafizur, who previously represented the franchise in 2016 and 2018, will once again wear the Qalandars’ colours. The deal was finalised at PKR 6.44 crore (BDT 2.81 crore approximately).

"Let’s get the politics out of it," Lee, who ended his 13-year international career in 2012, said in 'Mr. Cricket UAE' podcast.

It is the first time any official from either the Pakistan government or the PCB has publicly addressed the reasons for the boycott.

On the field, Pakistan looks settled, sharp and ready. Off the field, however, attention shifted from cricketing form to a decision that could define their campaign.

He added that the ICC has allowed double standards in the past and failed to address such situations.

The game against India A is scheduled for February 15 at 2pm local time, the same day the Pakistan men’s team was originally set to face India in the T20 World Cup before a boycott was announced by the Government of Pakistan.

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.