Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Prime Minister at last breaks silence on the conclusion to boycott T20 World Cup 2026 match against India which is scheduled for February 15 2026. This match is Group A match of T20 World Cup 2026 against India, telling the entire government is standing tall with Bangladesh. The Government of Pakistan on 1 February 2026 announced that the senior men’s team would indeed participate in T20 World Cup 2026 but would not take the field against arch-enemy India on February 15 in Colombo. After Bangladesh being ousted from T20 World Cup 2026 after their refusal to travel to India, this stance was taken as Pakistan felt aggrieved. Bangladesh desired that after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Mustafizur Rahman owing to “recent development” the ICC shift its matches to Sri Lanka. On multiple occasions, The Bangladesh Cricket Board ((BCB) cited a security threat, but the independent review of ICC found no credible threat, and the ICC told Bangladesh to reconsider. However, once Bangladesh refused to travel to India, the apex body replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in Group C.
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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi disappeared to extract of the T20 World Cup after Bangladesh were shown the door, claiming justice was not done with the former. However, after the several meetings between Pakistan PM and him, it was concluded that the team would play in the T20 World Cup, but not against India.
As per latest decision, Prime Minister of Pakistan Sharif told that the government has taken a stand against the ICC, telling politics should not be mixed with sports.
Pakistan PM told while addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad “We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India”
“There should be no politics in sports; it is our clear stand. We have taken this stand after careful deliberation. We are with Bangladesh, and I think this is the right and proper decision,” Sharif added.
After the social media post of Government of Pakistan on February 1, the ICC issued a statement urging the former to review the decision, as it could have “long-term” implications for the sport in the country.
