Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has confirmed that Pakistan will not play against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, stressing that the decision was taken after serious and careful deliberation. Addressing a federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister stated that politics should have no place in sports, underlining Pakistan’s principled stance on the matter.
The prime minister said Pakistan has chosen to stand in solidarity with Bangladesh, following the International Cricket Council’s decision to expel Bangladesh from the tournament. Bangladesh was removed after the Bangladesh Cricket Board requested that its matches be shifted to a venue outside India, a request that was rejected by the ICC. As a result, Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland, with the ICC citing scheduling constraints ahead of the February 7 start of the World Cup.
Pakistan’s decision directly affects the highly anticipated February 15 match against India, which officials have confirmed will be boycotted as a form of protest. Government sources revealed that the Pakistan team was formally instructed not to take the field against India, citing concerns over what they described as a biased stance by the ICC.
According to officials, ICC chief Jay Shah’s decisions were viewed as partial, raising serious questions about fairness and equality within the governing body. Sources further claimed that these actions have damaged the credibility of the ICC and undermined the principle of equal treatment for all member nations.
Despite the controversy, the ICC has expressed hope that the Pakistan Cricket Board will work towards a mutually acceptable solution. In an official statement, the council acknowledged the authority of national governments but urged Pakistan to reconsider its position, arguing that the boycott could harm the global game and disappoint millions of cricket fans worldwide, including those in Pakistan.
The ICC maintained that the decision is not in the best interest of international cricket and called for dialogue to protect the welfare of players, supporters, and stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan national team is currently in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where it is preparing to participate in the T20 World Cup. The tournament will be co hosted by Sri Lanka and India, running from February 7 to March 8, with global attention now focused on how the situation will unfold.
