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Pakistan looks to force majeure as India boycott threat looms in T20 World Cup

Pakistan’s decision not to take the field against India at the T20 World Cup could hand India two points, with ICC regulations leaving limited scope for exemptions.

Published

9 months ago

February 3, 2026

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Pakistan’s declaration that it will not take the field against India at the T20 World Cup has pushed the tournament into an unusual and sensitive situation, with ICC playing conditions clearly outlining the sporting consequences of a refusal.

Matches between India and Pakistan carry political significance, but under World Cup regulations, the procedural outcome of a team declining to play is largely unambiguous. If India arrive in Colombo as scheduled, attend training and fulfil all pre-match formalities, the onus rests entirely on Pakistan.

Should Pakistan then refuse to take the field, the fixture would be officially forfeited. India would be awarded two points, while Pakistan would receive none. The forfeiture would also negatively affect Pakistan’s net run rate, a factor that has frequently proven decisive in tightly contested World Cup group stages.

Net run rate impact could prove costly

A forfeit is not treated as a neutral outcome under ICC rules. In a competitive tournament environment, the loss of points combined with a dent to net run rate can have long-term implications, potentially influencing qualification for the semi-finals.

There is only one alternative scenario outlined under the regulations. If India do not travel to the venue, the match would be considered cancelled rather than forfeited, resulting in points being shared by both teams. However, with India expected to meet all logistical and operational requirements, that possibility currently appears unlikely.

Past precedents at ICC events

While forfeitures at World Cups are rare, they are not unprecedented. During the 1996 ODI World Cup, Australia and the West Indies declined to play matches in Sri Lanka following a bomb blast in Colombo, resulting in Sri Lanka being awarded full points.

In the 2003 ODI World Cup, England forfeited their match against Zimbabwe in Harare citing political and security concerns, while New Zealand refused to play Kenya in Nairobi due to safety considerations.

More recent ICC events have also seen withdrawals, including Zimbabwe pulling out of the 2009 T20 World Cup and New Zealand’s Under-19 team exiting the 2022 Under-19 World Cup because of COVID-19 restrictions. In such cases, the ICC has consistently prioritised the integrity of the tournament framework.

Can force majeure apply?

Pakistan’s potential reliance on a force majeure clause forms the crux of the legal debate. Force majeure traditionally applies to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances such as natural disasters or extreme situations that make participation impossible rather than undesirable.

According to ICC sources, invoking force majeure in this case would be difficult. Such clauses are interpreted narrowly, and political objections alone do not automatically qualify unless there is a demonstrable and immediate threat to safety or feasibility. Without meeting that threshold, a refusal to play would fall outside force majeure protections.

Beyond the immediate match

The implications may extend beyond the scorecard. ICC sources indicate that severe sanctions, including the possibility of suspension, could be considered if a refusal is deemed a breach of participation obligations. Any such action would follow due process rather than being immediate, but precedent exists for firm intervention when competition rules are undermined.

For now, the impact remains primarily sporting. India stand to gain two crucial points without play, while Pakistan risk compromising both their World Cup campaign and their standing within the ICC framework.

What was expected to be the tournament’s most watched fixture could instead become its most consequential non-match, shaped not by runs or wickets but by regulations that leave little room for interpretation.

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Football news

Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from international football

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his 23-year career with Portugal after 234 appearances and 146 goals.

Published

7 days ago

November 5, 2026

APNLive Desk

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his 23-year career with Portugal towards an end.

The 41-year-old Portugal captain said he would hand back the No. 7 shirt of the national team after the November international break. Ronaldo made the announcement in a video message shared on social media.

The decision marks the end of one of the most decorated international careers in men’s football. Ronaldo has made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals, both records at international level.

Ronaldo’s Portugal career comes to an end

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 and went on to represent the country across more than two decades.

He helped Portugal win their first major international trophy at Euro 2016. He was also part of the teams that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Ronaldo’s international career also included six World Cup appearances. His final World Cup came in 2026, when Portugal were eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the last 16.

Ronaldo reflects on 23 years with Portugal

Announcing his decision, Ronaldo said it was not an easy choice and described his time representing Portugal as a privilege and responsibility.

He thanked his family, the Portuguese people, as well as the teammates, coaches and staff who were part of his international journey.

Ronaldo also said that Portugal would always remain a part of him.

Record-breaking international career

Ronaldo leaves the Portugal setup as the men’s all-time leading international goalscorer and the player with the most international appearances.

His 146 goals came across 234 appearances for Portugal. He also became one of only two players, alongside Lionel Messi, to feature at six World Cups.

His international career included major individual records as well as team honours, making his departure one of the biggest moments in modern international football.

What happens next

Ronaldo’s announcement comes after he said he would hand back Portugal’s No. 7 shirt following the November international break.

Portugal have Nations League fixtures during the November window, but Ronaldo’s announcement means his international career is now set to conclude after that break.

Cricket news

Abhishek Sharma smashes 113 off 38 balls as India beat New Zealand in 3rd ODI

Abhishek Sharma hammered 113 off just 38 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s 199-run target in 13.2 overs, winning the third T20I by six wickets.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning batting performance in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington, smashing 113 off just 38 balls to power India’s chase of 199. India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning the match by six wickets.

The Indian opener’s explosive innings proved decisive as India chased down New Zealand’s total of 198/3. His aggressive approach put the hosts under pressure and helped India complete the chase with plenty of overs to spare.

Abhishek Sharma leads India’s chase

Abhishek’s 113-run knock off 38 deliveries was the standout performance of the contest. His innings provided India with the momentum needed to pursue the 199-run target at a rapid pace.

The century also made Abhishek the central figure of the third T20I, with his power-hitting dominating the contest. India’s successful chase underlined the impact of his innings in a match where New Zealand had posted a substantial total.

India chase down 199 against New Zealand

New Zealand scored 198/3 in their innings, setting India a target of 199. However, India’s batters responded with an aggressive chase, reaching the target in just 13.2 overs.

The six-wicket victory gave India an important result in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek’s century was the defining contribution of the match, ensuring that the visitors completed the chase comfortably.

Abhishek Sharma’s innings takes the spotlight

Abhishek’s quickfire century was the major talking point from the Wellington encounter. Scoring 113 runs from only 38 balls, he combined scoring speed with the ability to keep India’s chase firmly on track.

His performance will be among the key highlights of the third T20I as India continue their campaign against New Zealand.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.