New Delhi: Pakistan has decided to boycott its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not issued an official statement regarding the match. However, the Pakistan government announced on social media that while Pakistan will participate in the World Cup, it will not take the field against India.
ICC May Take Action Against Pakistan
The decision to skip the India match could attract action from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan could face financial penalties for losses incurred due to the abandoned match and might even be banned from future tournaments. Initially, Pakistan had agreed to play all its group matches in the tournament but has now chosen to withdraw only from the India clash.
Former Cricketer Bassit Ali Challenges ICC
Ex-Pakistan cricketer Bassit Ali has openly challenged the ICC, daring them to ban Pakistan. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he cited past instances where teams refused to play matches:
- West Indies and Australia in the 1996 World Cup
- England and New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup
Ali said, “Apart from losing two points, were any other penalties imposed on those teams? And now, there is talk of banning the Pakistan cricket team. Let them try!”
He also defended the boycott, comparing it with India’s previous actions:
“India started this trend. Players are not obliged to shake hands. Indian players had also refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC Chief Mohsin Naqvi because the Indian government had prohibited it. Now, if we are boycotting a match on our government’s orders, does that make us wrong? If India can do it, so can Pakistan!”
PCB Yet to Inform ICC Officially
The PCB has not yet formally informed ICC about its decision. Bassit Ali further said that ICC has requested the PCB to reconsider its stance or formally announce its decision. “Did BCCI send a letter to ICC before the Champions Trophy saying they would not play in Pakistan? I challenge ICC to show me that letter. PCB cannot ignore its government’s directive. Only the Pakistan government can decide whether the Pakistan cricket team will play India on February 15,” Ali added.
The situation has created tension ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, and cricket fans await clarification on Pakistan’s official stance.
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