Zaheer Abbas urged India and Pakistan to stop mixing politics with sports and said they should play cricket like neighbours. He pinned the blame for the recent chaos on India, highlighting the refusal to shake hands and take the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi during the Asia Cup.

COLOMBO, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Pakistan captain Salman Agha defended off-spinner Usman Tariq's unorthodox bowling action on Friday and called him the side's "X factor" on the eve of their Twenty20 World Cup opener against the Netherlands in Colombo.

Pakistan and the Netherlands face-off in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 opening match at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Here's all you need to know about the PAK vs NED, Group A match 1

The post appeared moments after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that the Salman Ali Agha-led side would not take the field against India

The 2026 T20 World Cup will begin on February 7 (11am local time), with Pakistan taking on Netherlands in the first game, and will run till March 8. The first match will be held at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

With the T20 World Cup beginning on Saturday, BBC Sport looks at the trends and tactics from the global game that may play a part in India and Sri Lanka.

How did the T20 World Cup begin, and who were its biggest stars in the past two decades? Here’s a look back at the tournament: Host: South Africa Teams: 12 Final: India vs Pakistan Winner: India – by five runs Player of the tournament: Shahid Afridi It was a tournament of many firsts – 33 T20 international (T20I) player debuts,