Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has firmly restated his government’s position that the national cricket team will not face India in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking to the federal cabinet in Islamabad, Sharif declared, “We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India.”
The decision, he emphasized, followed thorough deliberation and represents what he described as an “appropriate” choice. Sharif underscored that sports should remain free from political interference, stating, “There should be no politics in sports.” He further expressed solidarity with Bangladesh, whose refusal to participate in matches in India led to their replacement in the tournament by Scotland.
The co-hosted event, jointly organized by India and Sri Lanka, runs from February 7 to March 8, 2026, and includes 20 teams. Pakistan sits in Group A with India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA. The much-anticipated India-Pakistan encounter is slated for February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has previously voiced concerns over selective participation in global events, describing it as contrary to the principles of sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency, and fairness. In a statement, the ICC highlighted that such actions undermine the essence of international cricket and affect stakeholders, including fans across the globe, while urging the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to pursue a resolution that safeguards all involved parties.
ALSO READ : India’s Boys Shine At Under-19 World Cup: Record Highest Chase, Reach Final For 10th Time
Pakistan’s stance emerged amid broader tensions following Bangladesh’s withdrawal from India-hosted fixtures over security issues, prompting their exclusion and Scotland’s entry as the next highest-ranked eligible side. Earlier announcements from the Pakistan government indicated the team would compete in the tournament overall but skip the India fixture specifically.
Historically, India holds a dominant record against Pakistan in T20 World Cup encounters, winning seven of eight meetings. Pakistan recently named its squad for the event, yet the boycott threat looms over one of cricket’s biggest rivalries.
The ICC continues to prioritize the tournament’s smooth execution and expects full compliance from member nations to uphold the competition’s spirit.
-
-
-
-
