Tilak Varma returns, Pakistan depart and AUS injury– February 2 Cricket highlights

Tilak Varma and Pakistan team [Source: @BCCI, @CallMeSheri1_/x]

Tilak Varma made a successful return to competitive cricket for India A in the warm-up match of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. The Pakistan cricket team has departed for the upcoming showpiece event. In other news, the Australian team has suffered a major injury scare in the form of ace spinner Adam Zampa.

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Monday, February 2.

Pakistan team depart for T20 World Cup 2026 after India boycott

The Pakistan cricket team took flight for Sri Lanka for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Several players like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, captain Salman Agha among others were spotted departing for the island nation, just a day after the Pakistan government boycotted Pakistan’s Group A match against India.

Pakistan’s opening match of the tournament will be played against Netherlands. The match will be hosted by the SSC Cricket Club in Colombo on February 7 later this week.

David Wiese opts out of Lahore Qalandars’ PSL 2026 squad

Former Namibia cricketer David Wiese has opted himself out of the upcoming PSL 2026 season. The experienced all-rounder said that he will not be able to turn up for the Lahore Qalandars franchise owing to “unforeseen circumstances and important family commitments”.

David Wiese has been a part of the Qalandars franchise since the 2019 edition of the tournament. With his late exclusion, the 40-year-old joined the likes of Harry Brook and Faf du Plessis among overseas players who have ruled themselves out of PSL 2026.

Tilak Varma warms up with 38 vs USA in T20 World Cup 2026

Indian cricketer Tilak Varma scored 38 runs off 24 balls with three fours and two sixes against USA in the warm-up match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Batting at number three for India A, the star batter shared a huge partnership with centurion Narayan Jagadeesan as the hosts mounted 238-3 in 20 overs.

The warm-up match marked a particularly significant occasion for Tilak Varma as he made his return to competitive cricket after recovering from his injury. He will soon be joining the Indian squad for the showpiece event later this week.

Eshan Malinga ruled out of Sri Lanka squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Sri Lanka fast bowler Eshan Malinga has reportedly been ruled out of the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The speedster sustained an injury during Sri Lanka’s third T20I of the series earlier this week. As per a Sri Lanka journalist, Eshan Malinga will now be replaced by either Dilshan Madushanka or Pramod Madushan at the showpiece event.

Eshan Malinga dislocated his shoulder and was called off the attack midway in Pallekele. The 25-year-old has so far played seven ODIs and eight T20I matches for Sri Lanka.

Injury scare for Adam Zampa and Australia

The Australian cricket team has reportedly suffered a major injury scare in the form of ace spinner Adam Zampa. In the third T20I match against Pakistan this weekend, Zampa was spotted struggling with a groin niggle. He did not bowl his quota of four overs in the match and also did not come out to bat as Pakistan secured a comprehensive 111-run win to clinch the three-match series 3-0.

As of now, Cricket Australia has not addressed the impact of Adam Zampa’s injury in context of the upcoming 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.