The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not made any significant concessions to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in exchange for refraining from boycotting the match against India in the current ICC T20 World Cup, which is set to take place in Colombo on February 15.

In its discussions with the ICC, the PCB has asked for a larger portion of the ICC’s earnings and has requested that the sport’s governing body invite the BCCI to approach the Indian government in order to resume bilateral cricket relations between the two nations.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) with Scotland for the jointly-hosted India-Sri Lanka ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the BCB avoided financial penalties or suspension for refusing to send its men’s cricket team to India.

Following a tri-partite meeting between the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in Lahore on Sunday, the ICC decided not to impose financial sanctions on the BCB.

It has been decided that the Bangladesh Cricket Board would not face any financial, athletic, or administrative sanctions in connection with the current issue. It is understood that BCB has the option to contact the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) if it so desires. The ICC said in a statement on Monday that this right is still in place and exists under current ICC laws.

The Indian players’ “no handshake” policy with Pakistani players, which was instituted during the 2025 Asia Cup, has also been urged to be lifted by the PCB and the ICC. The ICC stated that it will keep assisting in the development of the sport in Bangladesh.

“The dialogue between ICC and PCB took place as part of a broader engagement with both parties recognising the need for constructive dealings and being united, committed and purposeful in their aspirations to serve the best interests of the game with integrity, neutrality and cooperation,” the International Cricket Council stated in an official statement.

Shortly after the Pakistani government made a statement in Islamabad authorizing their squad to play India on February 15, the ICC announcement was released.

“In that prevailing spirit, it was agreed that all members will respect their commitments as per the terms of participation for ICC events and do all that is necessary to ensure that the ongoing edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is a success,” the International Cricket Council added.

In order to guarantee that the national team’s exclusion from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has no lasting consequences for cricket in Bangladesh, the ICC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting growth in one of cricket’s most active markets, with over 200 million ardent supporters,” the ICC statement read.

“It is unfortunate that Bangladesh will not be participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but this does not change the ICC’s longstanding commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation,” stated ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta. Our focus remains on collaborating closely with BCB and other important stakeholders to make sure the sport develops sustainably in the nation and that players’ and fans’ possibilities for the future are enhanced. Bangladesh’s cricket ecosystem is still a top priority that merits sustained investment in order to grow, compete, and integrate globally. It is not characterized by temporary disturbances.

In a meeting with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Tuesday, Union Minister of Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed his expectation that the US would be heavily represented in the next “AI Impact Summit 2026.”

The world has responded incredibly well to the February 16–20 “India AI Impact Summit 2026,” which is expected to be the largest AI summit to date.

“Good meeting with U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.” In an X post, Vaishnaw stated, “We talked about deepening our strategic partnerships, with an emphasis on semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, and supply chain resilience.”

“Anticipate significant U.S. participation in the AI Impact Summit 2026,” he continued.

According to Vaishnaw, top IT firms have created over 200 targeted, industry-specific AI models, which are expected to be unveiled during the AI Impact Summit.

He added that by expanding AI infrastructure and industry-finalized curricula to 500 universities, the sector will have a robust talent pipeline. Currently, investments totaling almost $70 billion are going into the AI infrastructure layer, and by the end of the Summit, this amount could double.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s recent meetings with industry leaders, developers, and innovators working across the AI value chain—which includes models, applications, and infrastructure—the minister said that these meetings demonstrated the methodical advancement of India’s AI ecosystem and a strong emphasis on deployment-led solutions.

From February 16–20, 2026, India is getting ready to hold the first-ever global AI summit in the Global South at Bharat Mandapam.

Over 500 carefully planned events will take place at Bharat Mandapam and Sushma Swaraj Bhawan over the Summit week, allowing for concurrent leader-level discussions, exhibits, and outcome-focused meetings.

More than 840 exhibitors, including State Governments, Industry, Startups, Research Institutions, Ministries, and Country Pavilions, will be present at the AI Impact Expo to showcase AI technologies that have demonstrated practical applications.

Additionally, IndiaAI will showcase advancements in the country’s core AI models.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) stated that the completion of the first tranche of the India-US trade agreement has increased business prospects for India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in the US market.

The MSME sector benefits greatly from this trade agreement, which was made possible by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary and resolute leadership. It also represents a significant turning point in India’s development as a global economic powerhouse.

According to a CAIT statement, “This agreement reflects India’s growing stature as a confident, competitive, and reliable trade partner on the world stage.”

The trade agreement will greatly benefit a number of important Indian industries, including textiles and clothing, leather and footwear, gems and jewelry, generic pharmaceuticals, automotive and aircraft components, chemicals, plastics and rubber products, home décor, handicrafts, and a few engineering goods, according to CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal.

He noted that India’s export competitiveness in the largest economy in the world will be improved by improved market access and tariff rationalization.

The MSME sector, which is the foundation of India’s economy, will receive a significant and timely boost from the deal, he added.

The agreement will allow MSMEs to increase production, grow internationally, and create significant jobs, particularly for women and young people, by creating more export prospects.

By further integrating Indian businesses into global value chains, it will also support the “Make in India” campaign, Khandelwal continued. The deal also protects India’s fundamental national interests, especially in delicate agricultural and rural areas, highlighting the Indian government’s fair and farmer-focused trade strategy,” the CAIT Secretary General stated.

All things considered, the India-US trade agreement is a progressive move that will boost exports, encourage entrepreneurship, and strengthen India’s progress toward “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Viksit Bharat,” Khandelwal continued.

In India’s non-corporate sector, CAIT is the premier national organization that represents over 40,000 trade associations and over nine crore traders.

Founded in 1998, it promotes fair trade practices, technology adoption, and regulatory improvements on behalf of small businesses and merchants.

In order to promote, assist, and maintain the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses, CAIT serves as a liaison between the government and the business community.

The government is looking for feedback from a range of stakeholders regarding the guidelines and forms in the Income-tax Act, 2025, which will take effect on April 1, 2026.

According to the Finance Ministry on Sunday, the proposed Income Tax Rules and Forms have been posted on the official website in order to promote broader stakeholder input prior to the final notification of the Income Tax Rules and Forms.

Following extensive deliberation, the relevant Income-tax Rules and associated Forms were created to conform to the guidelines of the Income-tax Act of 2025. In its notification, CBDT urged stakeholders to analyze the information and offer ideas, which would then be collated and reviewed before the final announcement.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is seeking feedback and recommendations from interested parties in four areas as part of a broader consultation process: identifying redundant or obsolete rules and forms; reducing litigation; simplifying language; and lowering the burden of compliance.

After providing their name and mobile number, stakeholders can submit their inputs, and an OTP-based validation process will be conducted.

Under the four previously indicated categories, the ministry has been advised that all recommendations must explicitly state the pertinent provision of the proposed Income-tax Rules or the proposed Form Number (with the exact rule, sub-rule, or form number) to which the recommendation relates.

On Budget Day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Income Tax Act 2025 will take effect on April 1, 2026, and that the I-T forms have been changed to make it easier for regular people to comply.

The extension of the ITR filing date for non-audit cases to August 31 and exemptions from insurance interest awards and nil deduction certificates for small taxpayers are among the new measures.

“I launched a thorough study of the Income Tax Act 1961 in July 2024, and it was finished in record time. The Income Tax Act 2025 will take effect on April 1, 2026. The forms have been revised for ease of use and compliance by regular folks,” she stated.

The Parliament was told on Friday that India is now a global leader in digital payments, with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) operational in more than eight nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar.

Remittances are increasing, financial inclusion is being promoted, and India’s standing in the global fintech scene is being reinforced by UPI’s expanding worldwide adoption.

Additionally, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada told the Rajya Sabha that the government has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) or agreements with 23 nations for the sharing or cooperation of India Stack/Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), mainly for the replication and adoption of India’s digital governance platforms.

In line with India’s larger DPI diplomacy under the India Stack framework, these Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) concentrate on collaboration in areas like digital identification, digital payments, data exchange, and service delivery platforms, the minister said.

MoUs for Digilocker have been signed with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), Cuba, Kenya, and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition, the government has taken action to spread the word about India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) success throughout the world.

India Stack Global promotes India’s DPI and helps friendly nations adopt it. 18 important digital platforms are accessible through the gateway.

“India has contributed the most DPI solutions to the Global DPI Repository, which was established during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 and functions as a global knowledge platform,” the minister stated.

Aadhaar, UPI, CoWIN, API Setu, DigiLocker, Aarogya Setu, GeM, UMANG, DIKSHA, e-Sanjeevani, and PM GatiShakti are a few of the most important DPI and digital solutions.

According to current data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the UPI saw a 28% increase in transaction volume (year-over-year) in January, reaching 21.70 billion, and a 21% increase in transaction value, reaching Rs 28.33 lakh crore.

India won a record-tying sixth U19 World Cup title on Friday at the Harare Sports Club in Harare after defeating England by 100 runs in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final.

India decided to bat first after winning the toss, however they were quickly defeated when Aaron George was out for nine. However, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre spearheaded a robust reconstruction effort.

Before Mhatre unintentionally pulled a ball and was out for 53 off 51 balls, the pair added 142 runs in 15 overs for the second wicket. From then on, Vaibhav owned the stage.

With a spectacular attack, Suryavanshi reached his century in 55 balls and reached 150 in 71 deliveries. He finished with an outstanding 175 off 80 balls, which featured 15 fours and 15 sixes, after adding 25 more runs off the following nine balls. India was scoring almost 10 runs per over when he was dismissed, demonstrating the significance of his innings.

Following Vaibhav’s departure, India’s scoring pace momentarily decreased, but significant contributions kept the trend rolling. Vihaan Malhotra contributed 30, Vedant Trivedi scored 32, and RS Ambrish added 18. Kanishk Chouhan’s late burst of 37 off 20 balls was crucial in helping India surpass 400 runs and end at 411/9.

With 3 for 63, James Minto was England’s most impressive bowler, while Alex Green and Sebastian Morgan each claimed two wickets. Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s valuable wicket was taken by Manny Lumsden.

In this high-stress knockout encounter, England had a difficult challenge as they chased an overwhelming 412. Joseph Moores left them early, but the “Ben duo” fiercely retaliated. They began hitting boundaries after completing the first phase, scoring 74 runs for the second wicket in 49 balls until Mayes was dismissed for 45 off 28.

Thomas Rew, the captain, then joined Ben Dawkins and came out firing, scoring 31 off 18 balls. After reaching fifty and confidently moving up to 66 off 56 balls, Dawkins emerged as England’s greatest threat.

Ayush Mhatre’s decision to join the attack and become India’s golden arm marked a sea change. As soon as he got rid of Dawkins, Ralphie Albert tired himself out, and India struck again.

After Farhan Ahmed and Sebastian Morgan were removed by Deepesh Devendran in the following over, England fell precipitously to 177/7.

When Manny Lumsden fell, Falconer took over with the tail for backup and carried on the battle. After hitting a few more boundaries and reaching an incredible century in 63 balls, he was well caught by Khilan Patel for 115 off 67 balls. Despite a strong comeback from 177/7, England finished with 311.

The bowlers from India distributed the spoils well. Kanishk Chouhan and Deepesh Devendran each claimed two wickets, while RS Ambrish finished with 3 for 56. Khilan Patel and Ayush Mhatre each took one wicket to ensure a resounding win.

BCCI President Mithun Manhas stated, “We are so proud of our India U-19 team for winning the ICC Under-19 World Cup.”

Months of dedication, outstanding collaboration, and the gutsy style of cricket these young champions play have all contributed to this victory. The guys shown incredible maturity and character on the international scene, from stressful situations to game-winning performances.

Sincere congrats to the players, coaches, and support staff for fostering talent and preserving India’s illustrious cricketing history. Indian cricket’s future is in capable and secure hands.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, who declared, “World Champions again! The India U19 team deserves our sincere congratulations for winning the U19 World Cup. A dominant run during the competition, highlighted by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s incredible knock in the championship match. Congratulations to the players and support crew on this historic victory.

Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian men’s team, wrote on social media, “I’m proud of you guys! The future is bright! #IndiaU19.

“Congratulations on winning the World Cup once more, Indian U-19 team. We continue to dominate cricket at all age groups and beyond. Virat Kohli wrote on X, “Congratulations to the entire team and the support crew.

“India’s U19 team didn’t just show up with a galaxy of stars to rest on their laurels,” remarked Ian Rachel Bishop, a former cricket player for the West Indies. When they arrived, they flexed and turned on the electricity. They deserve this victory since they put in a lot of effort and played well. Congratulations.”

Devajit Saikia, the board’s secretary, told that the BCCI had declared a total financial award of Rs 7.5 crore for the selection committee, technical personnel, and the victorious U20 Men’s Cricket World Cup squad.

At the BCA Stadium, Kotambi in Vadodara on Thursday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Delhi Capitals by six wickets to win their second Women’s Premier League championship.

With flawless ease, RCB accomplished the highest successful chase in a WPL final in 19.4 overs after captain Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 57 to lead DC to 203/4.

With the triumph, RCB became the first team to win the championship after leading the group stage standings and the first team to hold the IPL and WPL titles at the same time.

With 87 off 41 balls, 12 fours, and three sixes, captain Smriti Mandhana delivered her most elegant and outstanding WPL performance to date.

After managing just six runs from her first five deliveries, she began to accelerate magnificently, hitting boundaries nearly every over. Smriti became the mainstay of RCB’s dominant chase, and her knock also made her the tournament’s top run scorer.

Georgia Voll, who scored an incredible 79 off 54 balls with 14 boundaries, and Smriti shared a commanding 165-run partnership off 92 balls. The fact that there were at least one boundary in each over of the chase demonstrated how dominant their batting performance was.

Radha Yadav made sure RCB crossed the line with consecutive boundaries despite a slight wobble at the finish, which was caused by DC pitching pace-off deliveries. This led to joyous emotions in the dugout.

Despite having the greatest first innings total in a WPL final, DC, playing their fourth straight final, was the victim of the Smriti-Georgia masterclass, blasting the ball all over the park and suffering yet another heartbreaking loss.

Georgia proceeded with her strokeplay, cutting and driving Marizanne for consecutive fours after flicking Chinelle through midwicket and scooping over short fine leg for boundaries. There was no relief for DC even after Nandni Sharma was introduced; Georgia swiped her for four before Smriti slogged and swept her for two boundaries.

Before the former and later struck a four off Minnu Mani and Shafali Verma, respectively, Smriti expertly pierced off-side field. The two took a boundary apiece against N Sree Charani of Georgia, smashing her over mid-off.

Smriti danced down the field to loft Charani over long-on after catching a short ball from Nandni over square leg for six. Smriti raised her half-century by lofting Sneh Rana over additional cover for four after Georgia raised her fifty.

Smriti responded to Marizanne’s reintroduction in the 14th over with lofted drives that went straight down the ground and over mid-off. RCB was winning the chase when Georgia hoicked Nandni over midwicket and Smriti once more glided down the pitch to loft Minnu over mid-off to score more boundaries.

Smriti’s dismissal for 87 after Chinelle uprooted her leg-stump left RCB on a challenging pitch, despite Georgia and Richa Ghosh falling in short succession after holing out to long-on off Minnu and Nandni, respectively. However, Radha’s successive boundaries off Charani—crunching over cover and lofting over cover-point—secured the trophy victory for RCB.

In the past, Jemimah took control with a dazzling knock after Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma gave the early momentum. She demonstrated her incredible timing and ability to find gaps with breathtaking simplicity to score eight boundaries.

Chinelle Henry had a brilliant cameo of 35 off only 15 balls to help Delhi surpass the 200-run threshold, while Laura Wolvaardt contributed a helpful 44 off 25 balls. Chinelle’s final touch had such an impact that DC scored 55 runs in the final four overs.

With a run of 0-19 in four overs, Lauren Bell was the only bright spot for RCB with the ball. However, the rest of the attack struggled with their lines and lengths, providing scoring opportunities in every over. Following Jemimah’s departure in the sixteenth over, RCB mounted a brief comeback, but their dreams were crushed by Chinelle’s late pyrotechnics.

Jemimah demonstrated her full range in the crucial 12th over, cover-driving, sweeping, and cutting Shreyanka for three boundaries before slicing fiercely off Radha Yadav. In the 15th over, Jemimah reached her half-century before being caught by deep square leg off Sayali Satghare for 57.

However, in the last overs, Laura and Chinelle launched a vicious attack. In the 18th over, Chinelle in particular tore into Nadine de Klerk, hitting four boundaries and a six to amass 24 runs. In the last over, both of them hit boundaries off Sayali, giving up 15 runs. Laura was then run out while trying a desperation second run, as DC set RCB up for a difficult chase that they dominated.

Shreyanka Patil, an off-spin bowling all-rounder for RCB, called their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 victory “very special” and dedicated it to captain Smriti Mandhana, citing difficulties the captain has faced recently.

“Very unique to me. My WPL return season. I couldn’t have hoped for more. This crowd is lovely and has always been there for us, even though there were 200 on the board. I want to express my gratitude to every single member who has supported us. Additionally, the viewers in Bangalore and Karnataka would like to express their gratitude to you all,” she stated.

The winning runs were made by left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Radha Yadav, who commended the management for helping the players and getting them ready for stressful situations. “Everyone is overjoyed. This group has put in a lot of effort. The management has supported the players and fulfilled our requests. In fact, they’ve provided us much more than we requested. They deserve this victory.

“As athletes, we work hard; sometimes we see the results, and other times we don’t. But congratulations to the management for their hard work. Our management was really helpful. How can we enhance the skills we already possess? They supported us in discovering those paths,” she remarked.

Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals 203/4 in 20 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 57, Laura Wolvaardt 44; Arundhati Reddy 1-40, Sayali Satghare 1-46) lost to
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 204/4 in 19.4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 87, Georgia Voll 79; Chinelle Henry 2-34, Minnu Mani 1-19) by six wickets

The Indian men’s cricket team is receiving a ton of support from their female counterparts as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The men’s squad has received passionate notes from members of the Indian women’s team, who made history by winning the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025, wishing them well as they attempt to defend their title in the forthcoming competition.

The support from their female counterparts serves as a reminder of the unity and fraternity within Indian cricket, as the Indian men’s team enters the event as the reigning champions after defeating South Africa in an exciting final of the T20 World Cup 2024.

The Indian women’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, spearheaded the effort with a strong statement of encouragement. “Best wishes for the T20 World Cup to Team India. We all know you will win if you play with all of your heart and have fun. She exuded faith in the team’s skills and remarked, “Wishing all the luck.”

“Wishing the best for the Indian Team, looking really good, we all are looking forward to another cup,” said Smriti Mandhana, vice captain of her side and one of the biggest names in women’s cricket. Recognizing the great expectations for the men’s team, she said, “But no pressure, and hopefully we can play some good cricket.”

Deepti Sharma, who was voted Player of the Series and was instrumental in India’s ODI World Cup victory, expressed enthusiasm for the forthcoming event in India, giving her remarks a hint of emotional significance. “I’m wishing you all the best; this will be a very special event that takes place in India. The all-rounder emphasized the pride and fervor that come with a home World Cup by saying, “Go get the cup home.”

Recognizing the importance of the World Cup for both sides, India’s talented wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh also conveyed her best wishes to the men’s team. She encouraged everyone ahead of what seems to be a great competition by saying, “Good luck guys, I wish you all the very best for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.”

The Indian women’s side demonstrated that the spirit of Indian cricket is unified regardless of format or gender as they achieved history by winning the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup for the first time since the tournament’s start.

The women’s team is getting ready for their multi-format tour of Australia, which begins on February 15, while the Men in Blue prepare to begin their campaign against the USA on Saturday.

A three-game Twenty20 International series will kick off the Women in Blue’s tour, which will also include numerous One-Day Internationals and a single Test.

US banking authorities are turning their attention to artificial intelligence. AI can boost markets, but there are hazards that need to be closely watched, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Congress.

Bessent was providing testimony on the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s 2025 annual report before the House Financial Services Committee.

AI is currently one of the top four priority for safeguarding the financial system, according to him. Cybersecurity, Treasury markets, and regulatory modernization are the other three.

Bessent stated that the council is giving the responsible application of AI top priority in order to improve financial stability.

Regulators are collaborating with both public and private partners, he said. Monitoring hazards and enhancing system resilience are the objectives.

According to Bessent, AI is rapidly gaining traction in financial markets and banks. Businesses use it for operations, compliance, and risk management. However, he cautioned that improperly comprehended or unmonitored use may exacerbate shocks under stressful situations.

According to him, the FSOC report shows a change in strategy. Broad warnings are becoming less common among regulators. Instead, they are concentrating on particular weaknesses that have the potential to cause systemic disruption.

“In order to focus on the issues that are most important for the financial stability of the United States, we are ignoring the noise,” Bessent stated.

Democratic members expressed concern over decisions made by AI. They cautioned that discrimination and bias could be introduced by opaque algorithms, particularly in credit and lending decisions. They claimed that previous financial crises had been exacerbated by similar blind spots.

Bessent recognized the dangers. The FSOC’s mandate, he argued, is limited. When asked about explainability in AI systems, he responded, “It could be a concern.” “However, we don’t think it’s important for financial stability.”

The administration’s strategy received broad support from Republican lawmakers. They argued that early regulation shouldn’t stifle innovation. They contended that AI can tighten compliance, enhance customer service, and aid in the detection of fraud.

Regulators are also keeping an eye on concentration hazards, according to Bessent. He claimed that an excessive dependence on a small number of AI suppliers or systems could increase the harm caused by technical malfunctions or hacks.

“Criminal organizations and nation-state actors continue to target our infrastructure and financial institutions,” he stated.

FSOC is coordinating with foreign peers, Bessent continued. He stated that in order to prevent regulatory loopholes, international cooperation is necessary to mitigate the global risks associated with AI.