By Nawaz Gohar ; Former cricketers are now weighing in, claiming that the Indian team is gripped by the fear of Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq ahead of their encounter. The highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled for February 15.

Leading up to the game, discussions in India have centered on the “terrifying impact” of Usman Tariq. Some are attempting to justify their batters’ anxiety by fueling rumors regarding his unique bowling action.

During a discussion on a Pakistani news channel, retired Test cricketer Basit Ali remarked, “The match hasn’t even started, and there is already so much noise regarding Usman Tariq. They are simply afraid of him.”

Shoaib Malik added his perspective, stating, “Once the umpires have cleared Usman Tariq’s action, the debate should end. This outcry exists only because batters are unable to read him. Whenever a bowler becomes unplayable, people start looking for flaws to pick apart.”

Malik further clarified the technicality: “According to ICC laws, as long as the arm extension remains within the 15-degree limit, the action is legal, regardless of any pauses or variations in delivery.”

Moderator Najee-ul-Hasnain also shared a tweet from Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin supporting Usman Tariq. Ashwin questioned why restrictions are only placed on bowlers when batters are granted the freedom to play switch hits and reverse sweeps without prior notice to the umpire or bowler.

Attempts by opposing players and officials to label Usman Tariq an “illegal bowler”, similar to tactics used against other Pakistani bowling geniuses in the past, have surfaced. However, since Tariq’s deliveries, which are considered even more dangerous than the traditional “Doosra,” do not violate any laws, these efforts have remained unsuccessful.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) formed scientific committees on two separate occasions to analyze his action. Both committees officially declared his bowling action legal.

The fear surrounding Usman Tariq is not without merit; his bowling is genuinely intimidating. Captain Salman Ali Agha included him in the squad specifically to maintain a psychological edge over opponents. In his debut appearance, Tariq’s overs dismantled the opposition’s batting lineup, claiming three wickets. Beyond just taking wickets, Usman Tariq has succeeded in creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among rival batters.

The post India fears Usman Tariq: Malik and Basit slam critics over mystery spinner’s bowling action appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ; The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally rejected claims circulating in the Indian media regarding Pakistan’s stance on not playing against India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

PCB Spokesperson Amir Mir issued a stern rebuttal, labeling the reports as “contrary to facts and based on falsehoods.” The board addressed specific narratives suggesting that Pakistan had initiated contact with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to negotiate or discuss the matter of the India fixture.

“We categorically reject the false claims made by Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta,” Mir stated. In a pointed remark aimed at the source of the rumors, he added: “Have a little patience; it will soon become clear who contacted whom and who actually knocked on whose door.”

The spokesperson further criticized the trend of speculative reporting, asserting that sections of the Indian media are attempting to politicize the sport through irresponsible journalism. He urged stakeholders to avoid spreading unverified information that could further strain the cricketing ties between the two nations.

This latest clarification from the PCB highlights the escalating media tension surrounding the 2026 World Cup, as the board maintains its firm stance while awaiting further developments on the international stage.

The post PCB slams Indian media’s ‘false claims’ regarding World Cup boycott appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ;  In the high-octane world of T20 cricket, where youth and agility are often prioritized, a select group of veterans is proving that experience remains an invaluable asset. While most cricketers begin their journey at 18 and hang up their boots by 35, the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 features several remarkable athletes who are still competing at the highest level well into their 40s.

Here are the most experienced elders leading their nations in this year’s mega-event:

1. Mohammad Nadeem (Oman) – 43 Years Old ; Standing at the top of the list is Oman’s versatile all-rounder, Mohammad Nadeem. At 43, he is the oldest player in the tournament. Nadeem is a pillar of Omani cricket, bringing the experience of 70 T20 Internationals, where he has amassed 805 runs and claimed 40 wickets. His presence in the squad provides a steady hand for the Associate nation.

2. Wayne Madsen (Italy) – 42 Years Old ; Italy’s captain, Wayne Madsen, is the second-oldest competitor in the event. Though he has only appeared in 7 T20Is for Italy, scoring 205 runs, his vast experience in English county cricket makes him a formidable leader and middle-order batter for the Italian side as they look to make a mark on the world stage.

3. Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands) – 41 Years Old ; A true globetrotter of the game, the 41-year-old Roelof van der Merwe remains a fierce competitor for the Netherlands. With 66 T20Is under his belt, he has scored 561 runs and taken 74 wickets. Van der Merwe holds the rare distinction of representing two countries in international cricket, having started his career with South Africa before becoming a vital cog in the Dutch machine.

4. Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) – 41 Years Old ; Known as “The President” in the cricketing world, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi continues to be an elite all-rounder at 41. With a massive experience of 147 T20Is, Nabi has scored 2,430 runs and taken 104 wickets. His ability to finish games with the bat and stifle runs with his off-spin makes him one of the most dangerous veterans in the tournament.

5. Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe) – 40 Years Old ; Zimbabwean batting mainstay Brendan Taylor has entered his fifth decade and is competing in this World Cup at the age of 40. A prolific run-getter, Taylor has represented Zimbabwe in 58 T20Is, scoring 1,185 runs, including one century and six half-centuries. His technical prowess remains a vital component of the Zimbabwean top order.

The post The Golden Generation: Veteran stars defying time at T20 World Cup 2026 appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

By Nawaz Gohar ;  As the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off today, February 7, the cricketing world is grappling with a massive financial void. Pakistan’s strategic decision to boycott the high-voltage match against India,

originally scheduled for February 15, has sent shockwaves through the industry, resulting in a projected $500 million (approx. 150 billion PKR) loss for Indian broadcasters and the complete collapse of expected revenue for global betting syndicates.

For international bookmakers—the vast majority of whom operate out of India—the Indo-Pak clash is traditionally more than just a game; it is a financial “festival.” Sources within the global gambling hubs of Dubai and Mumbai suggest that the upcoming match was expected to break all previous wagering records.

The intensity follows the brief border skirmish in May 2026, where Pakistan’s military dominance fueled a nationalistic fervor that translated directly into the betting markets. During the September 2025 Asia Cup, the three encounters between the traditional rivals saw gambling volumes double compared to previous years.

Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Indian extremist group Shiv Sena, claimed that a single group-stage match last year saw bets totaling 150 billion Indian Rupees (450 billion PKR).

The shift from traditional “offline” betting to sophisticated digital platforms has made the industry harder to track but more lucrative. Notorious figures like Chhotu Bansal, a Delhi native now based in Dubai, have developed specialized betting apps in Canada to facilitate anonymous wagering.

Other kingpins such as Praveen Kochhar and Sanjay Kumar—both previously apprehended by Delhi Police—utilize master IDs from sites like “https://www.google.com/search?q=Lucky.com” to distribute gambling access to “punters.”

According to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and investigative reports, nearly 75% of illegal cricket gambling has moved online. This digital sprawl makes it nearly impossible for authorities to monitor the $45 billion to $150 billion underground market that operates across South Asia, the UAE, and London.

Modern bookies have largely moved away from “Match-Fixing” in favor of “Spot-Fixing” and “Session/Fancy Fixing,” where only one or two players are manipulated to influence specific moments of the game.

These syndicates, often referring to themselves cryptically as “The Company” or “The Party,” rely on the immense traffic generated by Pakistan-India matches to mask their movements.

Because bilateral series between Pakistan and India have been suspended for nearly 18 years, ICC events remain the only window for these massive financial exchanges. Pakistan’s boycott has not only silenced the stadiums but has also effectively “burst the bubble” for the broadcasters and illegal networks that had banked on the February 15 encounter as their primary revenue driver for the year.

While the ICC’s ACU continues to analyze suspicious betting patterns and match tapes, the anonymity of mobile apps and redirected websites remains a formidable challenge. However, for this World Cup, the greatest deterrent to the illegal market wasn’t a police raid—it was a political decision that left the bookies with empty hands.

The post Financial Fallout: Pakistan’s boycott of India clash set to cost broadcasters $500 million appeared first on Sportslinkpk.