New Delhi: Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan has stirred another controversy by announcing it will boycott its Group Stage match against India scheduled for February 15. While Pakistan confirmed it will participate in the tournament, it has made clear it will not face India.
Rajkumar Sharma Speaks Out
Rajkumar Sharma, Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, expressed his strong views on the matter in an interview with ANI. He said:
“It is very unfortunate and a strange decision by Pakistan. Earlier, they had supported Bangladesh’s stance of not playing in India. Now they themselves are talking about backing out. This will cause huge losses for Pakistan cricket, for the public who want to see their players compete against India, and for the players themselves. I believe the Pakistan Cricket Board will rethink this decision.”
Sharma further emphasized:
“In cricket, India is far ahead of Pakistan. This is clearly a political decision. They must consider the consequences if the ICC takes action against them. The PCB could face significant damage. I am confident they will reconsider.”
Salman Aga’s Statement
Pakistan T20 captain Salman Ali Aga also commented on the issue after their third T20 match against Australia. He clarified that the boycott decision is not the players’ or his own, but directed by the PCB chief or the government. He stated:
“We will follow whatever the PCB or the authorities decide.”
As the February 15 clash approaches, Pakistan’s stance has sparked debate over the political influence in cricket and the potential repercussions from the ICC for failing to honor scheduled matches.
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