Decision to boycott India match puts pressure on Pakistan at T20 World Cup

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan will be in the spotlight more for its decision to boycott its marquee Twenty20 World Cup group-stage game against India rather than how well the team performs starting on Saturday.

The Pakistan government instructed the national team to boycott its Feb. 15 Group A game against its sporting and political archrival, a decision that shook the cricket world. It was announced moments after Pakistan swept title contender Australia 3-0 at Lahore in its final preparation for the tournament.

“It’s not our decision, we can’t do anything,” Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said in reference to Pakistan’s boycott. “We will do whatever our government and the chairman (of the Pakistan Cricket Board) tell us."

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday confirmed the boycott was a way of showing solidarity with Bangladesh after it was booted from the World Cup.

Among Pakistan's group opponents, the United States eliminated Pakistan in the 2024 World Cup in Texas after a thrilling super over. Six players — Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi — played the U.S.

The Netherlands also has a history of surprising much tougher opponents when in 2022 it beat South Africa. Namibia is the other team in the group. If Pakistan proceeds with the boycott, it can't afford to lose any of its other group games.

Pakistan has been transformed under coach Mike Hesson, a New Zealander who took over last year. He has introduced an aggressive attitude to compete against stronger T20 nations.

In the last two series, captain Agha showed plenty of intent to score at a brisk pace at No. 3 in Sri Lanka and at home against Australia.

Babar’s underwhelming strike rate of 128.38 dropped the leading T20 run-scorer from a large part of Pakistan's preparations for the T20 World Cup until he was recalled in October for the home series against South Africa.

Babar’s experience on slow pitches earned him a place in the squad despite scoring only 202 runs in 11 games for Sydney Sixers in Australia's Big Bash League.

Pakistan plans to continue with its tried and tested opening pair of Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan while Babar could anchor the innings at No. 4.

Pakistan is scheduled to play all of its games in Sri Lanka, including the semifinal and the final if goes that far. And with the pitches expected to help spinners, Pakistan has loaded its 15-man squad with slow bowlers.

Usman Tariq has a unique bowling action and his long pause just before delivery surprised the Australians. There's also leg-spinners Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed, left-armer Mohammad Nawaz and the off-spin of Ayub.

Pakistan left out Haris Rauf despite the fast bowler finishing among the top wicket-takers in Australia's BBL, because the selectors believe spinners will be dominant in Sri Lanka.

The specialist pace options are Shah, Afridi and Salman Mirza with backup from allrounder Faheem Ashraf.

Pakistan has a rich history in the T20 World Cup. It has reached three finals, winning in 2009, and made three other semifinals.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australia's Ben Dwarshuis, second right, shakes hand with Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha, right, on the end of the third T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha walks off the field after his dismissal during the third T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistani players and official pose for photograph with the trophy after winning the T20 series against Australia on the end of the third T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luke Evangelista scored the only goal of the shootout in the eighth round, and the Nashville Predators tightened the Western Conference playoff race with a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

Nashville, Los Angeles and San Jose are now even with 79 points apiece for the second wild-card playoff spot in the West, but the Sharks — who beat Toronto 4-1 earlier Thursday — have a game in hand.

Steven Stamkos scored his 37th goal and Jonathan Marchessault ended his 14-game goal drought for the Preds, who snapped their three-game skid despite blowing a three-goal lead. Filip Forsberg and Zachary L’Heureux also scored.

Juuse Saros stopped 29 shots before turning in a perfect eight-round shootout for Nashville.

The first 15 skaters in the shootout all failed to score before Evangelista ended it with a deke and a backhand for his first shootout goal of the season.

Adrian Kempe scored two goals and Joel Armia tied it midway through the third period for the Kings, who have lost six of eight with their season in the balance.

Scott Laughton also scored, and Darcy Kuemper rebounded from a rough beginning to make 31 saves before a strong shootout.

Before the game, the Kings honored retiring captain Anze Kopitar with a ceremony recognizing his 20-year career. The Slovenian center set the team's career scoring record last month.

Forsberg then scored his 35th goal for Nashville in the opening minute on a stoppable shot, and L’Heureux scored moments later when Kuemper was caught out of his crease.

Kuemper even gave a penalty shot to Nashville late in the first by throwing his stick at the puck, but Ryan O'Reilly couldn't convert. Marchessault got his 12th goal — his first in exactly a month — early in the second.

Kempe finally got the Kings going when Artemi Panarin's 51st assist deflected in off his skate, but Stamkos scored just over two minutes later. After Kempe scored again to secure the fourth 30-goal season of his career, Laughton scored moments later on a rebound.

Armia finally tied it when he drove the net and tapped in Jared Wright's rebound for his 11th goal.

Predators: At San Jose on Saturday night.

Kings: Host Toronto on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) is congratulated at the bench after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game, against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Nashville Predators defenseman Adam Wilsby, left, and Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Nashville Predators defenseman Nicolas Hague (41) looks on as Los Angeles Kings left wing Artemi Panarin (10) takes a shot on goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Los Angeles Kings right wing Taylor Ward (52) handles the puck away from Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Linesman CJ Murray (68) drops the puck as Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere (14) and Nashville Predators left wing Erik Haula face off during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)