‘There are spin specialists and batting specialists; Pakistan are u-turn specialist’, laughs ex-spinner Kaneria

New Delhi, Feb 11, 2026

After Pakistan reversed their stance and agreed to play the T20 World Cup match against India, former spinner Danish Kaneria took a dig at the decision, saying, “there are spin specialists and batting specialists, but Pakistan are U-turn specialist.”

The Pakistan government had earlier asked the team not to take the field for the clash against archrivals India to show support to Bangladesh, which was thrown out of the ICC T20 World Cup and replaced by Scotland after its demand for relocating its matches from India to Sri Lanka was rejected by the ICC.

But on Monday night, the Pakistan government made a U-turn on its earlier stance and has now allowed the men’s cricket team to play its scheduled match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on February 15 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

“There’s a limit to everything… I had said earlier that this drama wouldn’t stop and that they would take a U-turn, because they’re specialists in it — just like there are spin specialists and batting specialists, Pakistan is a U-turn specialist. I’ve never seen anyone take U-turns better than them,” Kaneria told IANS on Wednesday.

“The world started laughing at Pakistan — saying that one moment they say one thing, and the next moment something completely different. Pakistan then went on to put forward its own demands, such as agreeing to play only on a bilateral basis, and so on.

“As pressure began to mount — with the ICC warning of possible sanctions, the risk of significant financial losses, and the chance that foreign players might not receive NOCs to participate in the PSL — the whole situation seemed illogical. There was no justification for suddenly announcing a boycott of the game,” he added.

Kaneria further questioned Pakistan’s boycott decision and the logic of linking it to Bangladesh, saying, “What has Bangladesh ever done for Pakistan cricket?”

“What Bangladesh did was a matter between them and the ICC. I don’t understand when Bangladesh has ever helped the PCB in any way. You were making such big statements about boycotting — so what happened now? What suddenly changed that you’re being forced to play?” said Kaneria.

He continued, “If you’re going to make a decision, then at least stand by it. But suddenly taking a U-turn and creating a media frenzy — saying we did this, we did that — only makes things worse. This issue has escalated so much that it could become a major headache in the future.

“Right now, I honestly find the whole situation laughable. If you’ve taken a stand, then stick to it — no means no. It seemed like Pakistan was worried about being isolated or getting knocked out of the tournament, so in the end they said, “Alright, we’ll play.”

Kaneria highlighted the psychological challenges of high-stakes India-Pakistan matches, noting that when a team mentally prepares for a no-contest scenario and is suddenly forced to face the tournament’s biggest game, the sudden shift can create pressure for both the teams.

“Given everything that has happened, politics and cricket have clearly been mixed together, so there is definitely pressure on the players. Pakistan has now agreed to play, and already the hype has started — “Shaheen vs Abhishek,” building it up like some massive battle. The old rivalry had actually faded because of Pakistan’s recent performances and India consistently beating them. But by first refusing and then taking a U-turn, Pakistan has reignited the rivalry itself and added pressure on its own team,” he said.

“There is pressure on both sides. Earlier, the players were mentally in a zone where they thought they wouldn’t play India, would get two points, and move on to the Super 8. But suddenly, everything changed now they have to play the match.

That means preparation doubles, and so does the pressure. You’ll probably see heated moments and some words exchanged between players. In the end, the team that handles this pressure better will be the winner,” Kaneria concluded.(Agency)

‘Fake and fraudulent’: BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi amid Naravane book row

New Delhi, Feb 11, 2026

Amid the controversy surrounding the unpublished book ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ by former Army Chief Gen. M.M. Naravane, the BJP asserted on Wednesday that the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, along with other ‘fake’ leaders, is deceiving the nation by disseminating falsehoods.

Speaking to IANS, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said, “To please foreign powers, Rahul Gandhi and other fake leaders are misleading the country by lying. The one who wrote that book and the one who is publishing that book are clearly saying that the book has not been published. But fake leader Rahul Gandhi, to get cheap popularity through a foreign toolkit, is repeating filmy drama, which is far from reality. Rahul Gandhi should publicly apologise to the whole nation.”

BJP MP Damodar Agrawal said, “The matter is very clear. The book has not been published. The Defence Minister has clearly stated this in the House. But if someone insists otherwise, then they themselves should clarify that it is published. After that, there will be action as per the law.”

C.R. Kesavan, the BJP National Spokesperson, also attacked the Congress and said, “Mr Rahul Gandhi’s fake and fraudulent book bomb has now been totally busted. The deception of the Congress party’s dirty tricks department has also been completely exposed by the former Army chief’s tweet reiterating the publisher’s stand that the said book has not been published.”

On the other hand, CPI(M) MP Amra Ram questioned the government’s handling of the issue. “Whether this actually happened or not, check with Naravane. You spoke to the Defence Minister and Home Minister in 2023. The way the government is acting, it seems they are not willing to listen to the people’s voice. The Leader of Opposition is not being allowed to speak,” he said.

Amra Ram also said, “I have been in the Rajasthan Assembly for 20 years. The Leader of Opposition and even the Defence Minister have no time restrictions. Whenever they want to raise an issue, they have the opportunity to respond and present the opposition’s voice.”

Eight days after his unpublished memoir triggered a political firestorm that continues to rage, former Army chief General (retired) Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday broke his silence on the controversial autobiography. He endorsed his publisher’s stand that the book has not been published and that no copies were “printed, distributed, sold or otherwise made available to the public” either in print or digital form.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi responded on Tuesday to Penguin Random House India’s note about the memoir, which has become the focus of a sharp political confrontation in Parliament between the ruling BJP and the opposition.

Penguin Random House India on Tuesday confirmed that it holds exclusive publishing rights and that the manuscript has not been published in any form so far. The publishing house said it wished to make its position clear in light of reports suggesting that unauthorised copies were being circulated.

The controversy has sparked intense debate in Parliament, with the BJP accusing the Congress party of spreading misinformation, while opposition leaders have demanded clarity on the contents and circumstances related to the book.

Naravane served as the Army Chief from December 31, 2019, to April 30, 2022 — a period marked by heightened military activity in eastern Ladakh in the backdrop of the standoff along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC).(Agency)

If compliance is satisfactory, cricket matches will be allowed at Chinnaswamy Stadium: K’taka HM

Bengaluru, Feb 11, 2026

Commenting on the possibility of permitting international and IPL cricket matches at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said that if the compliance of safety recommendations by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is satisfactory, matches will be allowed; otherwise, permission will not be granted.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara, when asked about the meeting scheduled for Thursday, and whether there would be good news, said, “There is no question of good news or bad news. We will see how they have complied with the Justice Michael D’Cunha Committee recommendations. A committee has already been set up with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and others.”

“We will discuss the matter tomorrow. The recommendations include short-term, medium-term and long-term measures. The short-term measures that were to be implemented immediately must be complied with. They will submit a report on compliance. The stadium has already been inspected twice. If we are satisfied with the compliance, we will allow matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium; otherwise, we will not,” he said.

When asked about action against police officers, including IPS officers, for their alleged lapses in connection with the stampede tragedy in which 11 persons were killed, Parameshwara said, “The procedure is underway.

Everything has become normal now. They have been reinstated. The punishments if found guilty and inquiries will be finalised at a later stage. However, we cannot keep all those senior officers out indefinitely. The Chief Minister has decided to reinstate them, and action will proceed accordingly.”

Notably, KSCA President and former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad had said that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans would receive good news in the next two or three days. The decision on hosting international cricket matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will be taken by the Karnataka government at a crucial meeting scheduled for February 12.

The iconic stadium was denied permission to host cricket matches by the state government following the stampede during the victory celebrations of RCB’s maiden IPL title on June 4, in which 11 people lost their lives.

Speaking about a theft case involving 200 grams of gold and cash reported from the Vidhana Soudha building in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said, “My main concern is how this bag went through the Vidhana Soudha entrance gates. I have ordered a probe into this. How the bag entered Vidhana Soudha, through which gate it came in, and how it reached a Minister’s office unnoticed – these are matters I have asked to be investigated.”

“All matters pertaining to whom the bag belongs to and to whom it was to be delivered should be probed. I have spoken to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner in this regard. The theft case is secondary; the real concern is how the bag entered Vidhana Soudha unnoticed despite CCTV cameras,” he said.

It was through CCTV footage that the accused, identified as Naveen, was arrested. “But our concern is how the bag entered Vidhana Soudha,” Parameshwara reiterated.

Commenting on an incident in Kalaburagi in which Mateen Patel, a supporter of Congress leader and Minister Priyank Kharge, was seen dancing with a gun, Parameshwara said, “Whoever it may be, we will take action.

If anyone indulges in activities that are against the law, action will be taken. Which party they belong to comes later, but legal action will definitely be initiated. Even if they are close to anyone, no one is allowed to act against the law. The police will take strict action as per the law.”(Agency)

Exiled envoy says 2026 election among ‘ugliest in Bangladesh’s history’

Dhaka, Feb 11, 2026

Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, a seasoned Bangladeshi diplomat (now exiled), in an exclusive interview with a leading think tank, described Bangladesh’s national election slated for Thursday as one of the “ugliest” in the country’s history.

He warned that the interim government’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, who has long survived by repackaging the grotesque as virtue, cannot evade accountability.

In an interview with Sri Lanka-based think tank Trinco Centre for Strategic Studies (TSST), Rashid said, “Like everything Yunus calls ‘beautiful’, this election is among the ugliest in Bangladesh’s history, and that is not hyperbole. Yunus has long survived by repackaging the grotesque as virtue. This time, he will not get away with it.”

He asserted that what is unfolding is not a genuine election but a contest between two factions of the 2024 “jihadist coalition” that seized power by overthrowing former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He argued that on one side stands the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, while on the other is the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami and its partners.

Ideologically, Rashid, speaking to TSST, said, the BNP resembles Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood — if not structurally — while Jamaat parallels Hamas in Palestine, stressing that neither represents democratic values and that both reflect Islamist extremism.

“No genuinely democratic party has been permitted to contest. Yunus is openly manoeuvring to control the outcome so that he remains central to the next government. His preferred partners are Jamaat and its affiliates, including the NCP, whose cadres acted as suicide operatives during the 2024 jihadist violence disguised as the so-called quota movement,” the Bangladeshi diplomat stated.

“Add to this the involvement of foreign actors, particularly in the West, searching for the most obedient proxies. Call it an election if you wish. It is nothing of the sort,” he emphasised.

Responding to a question on how to interpret Bangladesh’s sudden transformation, from a secular republic to a state increasingly viewed through the prism of terror, Rashid told TSST, the shift represents a setback not only for Bangladesh but for humanity as a whole in the 21st century.

“The devastation caused by eighteen months of Yunus’s usurped rule has undone decades of progress. It has destroyed an economy painstakingly rebuilt under Sheikh Hasina and has systematically dismantled Bangladesh’s secular identity, historical memory, and the moral legacy of its Liberation War. This is not merely political regression; it is civilisational vandalism,” he added.

When asked about his claims that Bangladesh has “descended into terror” under Yunus, despite the latter’s long-standing image in the West as a liberal icon, Rashid said those who had closely observed Yunus viewed him as “a swindler, an international charlatan skilled at charming Western patrons by blinding them with rhetoric and reputation.”(Agency)

Why are restrictions only limited to the bowler?: Ashwin reflects on Usman Tariq’s bowling action amid criticism

New Delhi, Feb 11, 2026

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come out in support of Pakistan’s Usman Tariq after the latter’s bowling action came under scrutiny during the T20 World Cup 2026, saying “why are the restrictions only limited to the bowler?”

Tariq impressed with figures of 3-27 in Pakistan’s Group A win over the USA on Tuesday, securing his side’s second victory of the tournament. However, despite his match-winning performance, attention quickly shifted to his bowling action, sparking debate.

Known for a visible bend in his arm and an unconventional run-up, Tariq has faced questions over the legality of his action and whether it would stand up to international scrutiny, including in top T20 leagues. During Pakistan’s recent bilateral series against Australia, all-rounder Cameron Green had also raised concerns about the spinner’s action.

On Wednesday, former India cricketer Shreevats Goswami criticised Tariq’s pause during his run-up, comparing it to a rule change in football that disallows players from pausing during a penalty run-up.

“Even football doesn’t allow players to pause during a penalty run-up anymore. How is this ok? Action – all good. But pause? That too while loading to deliver. This can’t be continued seriously!” Goswami wrote on X.

Responding to the objection, Ashwin questioned why bowlers often face stricter regulations compared to batters.

“Agree football doesn’t allow it! While the batter can be allowed to switch-hit or reverse without informing the umpire or bowler after him/her commits to start batting on one side, why are the restrictions only limited to the bowler? In fact the bowler isn’t allowed to change the arm with which he/she bowls without informing the umpire! They should first change that rule,” Ashwin wrote.

As debate intensified on social media, with some users criticising Ashwin’s stance, the veteran off-spinner clarified that only official testing could determine the legality of Tariq’s action.

“Let me make it as clear as possible. Firstly, the legality of his action can only be tested at an ICC bowling action testing centre. Secondly, there is a 15-degree rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow straight, and to judge if a bowler is bowling within that 15-degree mark by the on-field umpire is impossible. The only solution to that is having a real-time in-competition testing tool. The above is a grey area and to accuse someone of utilising the grey area is wrong. Finally, if the pause at the crease is legal or not, and I believe that it is entirely legal because that is his regular action.”(Agency)

11th Foundation Day celebrations of MRSPTU begin with spiritual fervour and academic zeal

Bathinda, February 10, 2026(Yes Punjab News)

The week-long celebrations marking the 11th Foundation Day of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, commenced on Tuesday with the solemn and auspicious start of Shri Akhand Path Sahib on the university campus.

The spiritual ceremony set a serene and respectful tone for the celebrations, reflecting the university’s commitment to cultural values, collective harmony, and the rich heritage of Punjab.

“The journey of MRSPTU in a relatively short span has been truly remarkable and inspiring. It is a moment of pride for me to lead a university that is known for its dedicated faculty, hardworking students, and progressive vision,” said the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, while extending his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and all stakeholders on the occasion of the foundation day. He also emphasized the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic development.

On the opening day, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Registrar Dr. Gurinder Pal Singh Brar, and Programme Convenor and Director (Sports and Youth Welfare) Dr. Bhupinder Pal Singh Dhot, along with senior faculty members, staff, and students, enthusiastically participated in the inaugural events, marking the beginning of the celebrations with great zeal and devotion.

An exhibition on Sikh history and the lives of the Guru Sahiban was also organised by noted artist and faculty member S. H.S. Sohal, which drew keen interest from students and visitors alike. The exhibition highlighted significant historical moments, spiritual teachings, and the enduring legacy of the Sikh Gurus, creating an atmosphere of reflection and learning.

On the occasion, Dr. Swarandeep Singh Noor of Government College, Hoshiarpur, delivered an enlightening lecture on the life, philosophy, and supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. His address inspired the audience by emphasizing the Guru’s message of courage, religious freedom, and universal brotherhood.

The celebrations will continue on February 11 with an expert lecture on “The Life and Philosophy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh” by renowned historian and philosopher Dr. Sumail Singh Sidhu. The event aims to provide students and faculty with deeper insights into the visionary leadership, secular governance, and administrative excellence of the great Sikh ruler.

On February 12, the Bhog ceremony of Shri Akhand Path Sahib will be held, followed by soulful Kirtan and Guru Ka Langar (community kitchen), fostering a spirit of equality, service, and togetherness among the university community.

As part of the Foundation Day celebrations, an Art, Cultural, and Literary Festival titled “Tarannum” will be organised on February 12 and 13, showcasing the creative talents of students through music, poetry, theatre, and various cultural performances.

The celebrations will culminate on February 14 with an Alumni Meet, providing a platform for former students to reconnect with their alma mater and share their professional experiences with the current generation.

Photo Caption: Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, along with senior faculty, staff, and students, during the Foundation Day celebrations of MRSPTU on Tuesday. Glimpses of the event.

Pak-ISI Backed Terror Plot Foiled in Amritsar; One Held with RDX-based IED

Amritsar, Feb 11, 2026(Yes Punjab News)

In an intelligence-led operation amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Amritsar has foiled a Pakistan’s ISI-backed terror plot with the arrest of one accused person and recovered an RDX-based Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Rahul Kumar alias Gaju, a resident of Chamrang Road in Amritsar. He works as an assistant in a salon in Amritsar.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has indicated that the arrested accused was in contact with a foreign-based handler acting under the instructions of Pak-based handlers.

Probe has also revealed that accused Rahul retrieved the consignment from a designated location on the outskirts of the city following the instructions of his foreign-based handler, he said, while adding that the device was concealed in a PVC pipe casing, likely to evade detection.

The DGP said that further probe regarding the ultimate disposal/destination of the IED is being conducted.

Sharing operational details, AIG SSOC Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann said that following a credible intel-input about the consignment containing IED pushed from Pakistan, police teams have launched an operation and arrested suspect Rahul alias Gaju after recovering IED from his possession.

The AIG said that arrested accused came in contact with his foreign-based handler during his visit to Punjab in 2022 and they remained in contact with each other through encrypted mobile apps.

The foreign-based handler initially cultivated Rahul by providing him with small amounts to meet his expenses before tasking him with this assignment, he said, while adding that further investigation is ongoing.

In this regard, a case FIR No. 08 dated 09.02.2026 has been registered under section 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substance Act, section 25 of the Arms Act and sections 111 and 61 (2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC Amritsar.

T20 WC: Abhishek Sharma hospitalised with stomach infection, doubtful for Namibia clash

New Delhi, Feb 11, 2026

India’s left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma is in doubt for Thursday’s clash against Namibia in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup after being admitted to a private hospital in New Delhi due to stomach infection.

Sharma, 25, missed the training session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday evening and remains under medical observation, with assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirming in a press conference that he’s down with a stomach bug.

“Abhishek Sharma has been admitted to a private hospital in New Delhi since Monday due to his stomach infection issues. The Indian team management will decide on his availability for the clash against Namibia on Thursday based on what the doctor’s report says.

“Some further tests have happened too, so they are awaiting what it would tell about his total recovery timeline and subsequent availability for the game against Namibia,” said a source tracking the development to IANS.

Sharma played in India’s opening Group A game against USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with high fever, where he bagged a duck. Later, a stomach bug led to him not fielding in the second innings, as Suryakumar Yadav-led India won by 29 runs.

The Indian team management will be reluctant to rush him back, considering the defending champions have a marquee clash against Pakistan in Colombo on February 15 and then take on Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18, before the Super Eight stage begins.

Sharma’s absence could open the door for Sanju Samson to partner with in-form Ishan Kishan at the top of the batting order. Wicketkeeper-batter Samson struggled as an opener in the recent 4-1 home series win over New Zealand.

In Tuesday’s practice session, Samson did spend considerable time batting alongside Kishan. India will have another practice session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday evening before taking the field for the clash against Namibia on Thursday.(Agency)

T20 WC: ‘We are Pakistan, we do things differently,’ says skipper Agha on team’s ‘clinical’ win vs USA

Colombo, Feb 11, 2026

Pakistan captain Salman Agha appeared relaxed and satisfied after leading his team to a 32-run victory over the United States in their Group A match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Tuesday. He called the performance clinical but also highlighted the potential for further improvement.

Asked about his demeanour after the victory, Agha brushed it off with trademark humour before turning his attention to the team’s all-round effort, particularly the improvement in the middle overs with the bat.

“I always smile. When have you seen me not smile? (laughs). Clinical win. Last game, we didn’t bat well in the middle overs, but today we did. Once we scored 190, we knew we could defend that,” Agha said during the post-match presentation.

Agha said he would have opted to bat first regardless of the toss, backing Pakistan’s bowling resources to defend even modest totals while underlining the team’s distinctive approach to the game. “I would’ve batted first after winning the toss. With the kind of bowling we have, we know we can win even with 160-170. We are Pakistan, we do things differently from the world,” he said.

Despite his preference, the skipper stressed that Pakistan were equally comfortable chasing, pointing to the adaptability within the batting unit as he said, “We’re comfortable with chasing as well. Our batting order is flexible. First three will probably go in the same order, but we’re flexible after that.”

Explaining the depth and versatility in the lineup, Agha said Pakistan’s options allowed them to respond to different match situations without compromising intent. He was pleased with the overall performance and reiterated that the side was far from complacent, highlighting areas that could still be sharpened as the tournament progresses.

“We have finishers who can go early if we don’t get too many wickets at first. But if you get early wickets, we still have a batter who can go and obviously take the game to the deep and then allow the finishers to come and finish the game as well.

Always room for improvement. We like to bowl well in Power-play. In patches, we were good, but we can be more clinical,” Agha concluded.(Agency)

T20 WC: ‘Told my coach I’ll earn the POTM award,’ says Sahibzada Farhan after match-winning 73 vs USA

Colombo, Feb 10, 2026

Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan credited his preparation, confidence, and clarity of role at the top of the order after powering Pakistan to a 32-run win over the USA in their Group A encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Tuesday.

Farhan’s explosive 73 off 41 balls laid the foundation for Pakistan’s imposing total of 190/9, a performance the opener said he anticipated during practice on the eve of the match.

“The way we practised yesterday, the ball was coming onto my bat really well in the nets. I had already told our batting coach (Hanif Malik) yesterday that I was getting a good feeling for today’s match,” he said during the post-match presentation.

The right-hander said his self-belief entering the contest was unwavering, and he even predicted a Player of the Match performance. “I was confident. I even said, I will finish the match in a way that earns me the Player of the Match award,” he stated.

Farhan added that individual milestones were part of his broader goals for the tournament, underscoring his commitment to consistency at the global stage as he said, “I’ve set a personal target for myself, to win at least two to three Player of the Match awards in this World Cup.”

Reflecting on the conditions at Colombo, Farhan felt the surface allowed stroke-makers to play with freedom, which suited Pakistan’s aggressive approach at the top. The 28-year-old explained that his natural attacking instincts aligned perfectly with the demands of T20 cricket, especially in the early overs.

“I felt this pitch was much better. The ball was coming nicely onto the bat. Opening alongside Saim Ayub, Farhan said the duo’s responsibility was clearly defined, particularly during the Power-play. As openers, the role for me and Saim Ayub is always to utilise the powerplay properly. I naturally play an attacking brand of cricket,” he added.

While Ayub provided early momentum before falling for 19, Farhan believed his partner was unfortunate not to build on the start and said his own approach remained unchanged, sticking to his strengths rather than curbing intent. He also credited the clarity provided by the team leadership, stressing that aggression in the Power-play was a tactical directive.

“Ayub got the start today but was a bit unlucky. My thinking was to continue playing my natural game because in T20 cricket, as an opener, you have to play that way. That’s the role given to us by the captain, to keep the attack on in the first six overs,” he said.

Looking ahead, Farhan indicated that Pakistan would not deviate from their attacking philosophy, even against stronger opposition, and ended by reiterating the team’s commitment to positive cricket as the tournament progresses.

“We’ll go in with the same mindset as we did in our previous matches against India, including the Asia Cup. We’ll try to stay positive and play attacking cricket,” Farhan concluded.(Agency)

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