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‘We completely agree with ICC’: BCCI VP backs world body as Pakistan boycotts India match at T20 World Cup | Cricket News

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‘We completely agree with ICC’: BCCI VP backs world body as Pakistan boycotts India match at T20 World Cup
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday said it fully agrees with the International Cricket Council’s stance on sportsmanship following Pakistan’s decision to boycott its T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, scheduled for February 15. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the Indian board would refrain from making further comments until it holds formal discussions with the ICC.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“ICC has issued a big statement, they have spoken about sportsmanship. We completely agree with the ICC. BCCI won’t make any comments on it until we speak with the ICC,” Shukla said, underlining India’s alignment with the global governing body’s position on the issue.

Former captain Rashid Latif on Pakistan boycotting India T20 World Cup match

Shukla’s remarks came a day after the Pakistan government announced that while it had cleared the national team’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, it would not allow the side to take the field against India. In a post on X, the Government of Pakistan said the team “shall not take the field” for the February 15 fixture, without offering any specific reason for the decision. Pakistan will, however, play the rest of the tournament, which begins on February 7.The ICC responded firmly to the development, stating that “selective participation” runs counter to the fundamental premise of a global sporting event. In its release, the ICC said it had noted the Pakistan government’s statement and was awaiting official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but stressed that all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms as per the published schedule.The global body added that ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and warned that selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of such competitions. While respecting the role of governments in national policy, the ICC said the decision was not in the interest of the global game or fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan, and urged the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution that protects all stakeholders.India, meanwhile, head into the tournament in strong form after winning a five-match T20I series against New Zealand 4-1. The defending champions are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA, and will open their campaign on February 7.

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Great team with a great history

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Karim Benzema has likened his new team, Al-Hilal, to his former employers, Real Madrid, saying the Saudi Pro League side reminds him of Los Blancos in terms of rich history.

The Frenchman on Monday completed a shock deadline day move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal on a free transfer. Benzema’s contract with Al-Ittihad was due to run out in June, but negotiations over renewal collapsed, and Al-Hilal took full advantage of the situation, signing the 38-year-old on a one-and-a-half-year deal.

Speaking to Al-Hilal media after his first training session in the blue jersey, Benzema was asked what he knows about the club.

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“It’s a great team with a great history,” he said. “They won a lot of trophies. It’s like similar, like Real Madrid here in Asia, you know. Everything is good, the fans are good, they play well, they have good players, and they have a good mentality, they have a good process. So I liked this team before, I used to play against them with Madrid, it was not an easy game, it was a good game, so I have good memories, and today I’m happy because now I’m playing for Al-Hilal.”

Al-Hilal and Real Madrid share the same history as the most successful team in their respective division. The Blue Waves are Saudi Arabia’s most successful team, with 21 league titles and four Asian Championships. Similarly, Los Blancos have won the most league titles in the Spanish division, winning it a record 36 times.

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner guided Al-Ittihad to the league and King’s Cup glory last season. With Al-Hilal sitting atop the league table, they will be keen to leverage the forward’s experience to guide them to their 22nd league title.

Karim Benzema hungry for more silverware after Al-Hilal switch

Amid the controversy surrounding his move to Al-Hilal, Karim Benzema expressed his desire to win more trophies with the Riyadh-based club. Joining Al-Ittihad in 2023, Benzema went trophyless in his debut season but responded with a domestic double in his second campaign.

Regarding his ambitions at Al-Hilal, the 38-year-old stated:

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“Clear message, you know, my mentality. I have a lot of ambition. I will work, I will give everything in the pitch, I will help this team, and Inshallah bring trophies, because for me it’s more important to bring trophies, and we have, what I said before, good team, good fans, so together, Inshallah, we will do it.”

The striker has scored eight goals in 14 league appearances this season and is expected to make his Al-Hilal debut on Thursday against Al Okhdood.