Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif has intensified the rhetoric around the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 controversy, accusing India of “holding the ICC hostage” amid Pakistan’s decision to boycott the February 15 group-stage match against India in Colombo. According to CNN-News18, Asif alleged that commercial interests have overtaken the spirit of the sport, claiming cricket is no longer being treated as a “gentleman’s game” and that business considerations are driving key decisions in global cricket governance.
This is not the first time Pakistan has questioned the ICC’s neutrality or its relationship with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). As the world’s wealthiest and most influential cricket board, the BCCI commands enormous commercial leverage and a massive share of the global audience.
The optics of ICC leadership also feed into the narrative: ICC chairman Jay Shah previously served as BCCI secretary, a detail frequently cited in debates around governance, influence and perceived conflicts of interest in international cricket administration. The chain of events traces back to the situation in Bangladesh.
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The BCCI instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, which added strain to bilateral dynamics. That episode escalated into Bangladesh refusing to travel to India for World Cup fixtures on security grounds, prompting the ICC to remove Bangladesh from the tournament. Pakistan, which had publicly backed Bangladesh during the impasse, has now framed its refusal to play India as an act of solidarity.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accuses India of ‘holding ICC hostage’ amid country’s India #boycott in #T20WorldCup26 #INDvsPAK #BoycottWorldCup #BangladeshCricket #PakistanCricketpic.twitter.com/J2OOeO1jMq
— Sharmin Bithi 🇧🇩 (@BithiSharmin26) February 2, 2026
In an official post, the Pakistan government confirmed participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 but stated the team “shall not take the field” against India. The ICC has responded by warning of possible sanctions, arguing the boycott is not in the interest of the global game or its fans, including those in Pakistan.
Commercially, the stakes are massive: an India–Pakistan fixture is the biggest draw in world cricket, and a walkover could trigger significant broadcast and advertising losses. On the field, the implications are straightforward. If Pakistan do not appear for the toss, India will be awarded full points.
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Pakistan begin their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by matches against the USA and Namibia in Colombo. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to clarify whether the board fully aligns with the government’s stance, a statement that could shape the next phase of this escalating standoff.
