Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has reacted to his government’s confirmation that the national team will boycott the India match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, calling the situation “regrettable” while still backing the state’s stance. Pakistan and India are scheduled to meet in Colombo on February 15, but the Pakistan government has instructed Salman Ali Agha’s side not to take the field as a mark of protest linked to the ongoing ICC-Bangladesh controversy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had already hinted at skipping the India fixture after Bangladesh was removed from the tournament. Shahid Afridi, who has long argued that sports and politics should be kept separate, struck a nuanced tone in his public response.
While expressing disappointment over fans being denied one of cricket’s biggest rivalries, he urged the ICC to demonstrate neutrality through action rather than rhetoric.
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“I’ve always believed cricket can open doors when politics closes them. Regrettably, Pakistan won’t play India at the T20 World Cup, but I stand behind my government’s decision. This is the moment for the ICC to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it is impartial, independent, and fair to every member,” Shahid Afridi posted on X.
The statement has drawn attention because Afridi was recently involved in a separate controversy during the World Championship of Legends at Edgbaston, where India Legends withdrew from a match against Pakistan Legends.
At the time, Shahid Afridi criticised political interference in sport and took a swipe at former India opener Shikhar Dhawan for declining to play Pakistan. “Sports bring people closer, but if politics gets involved in everything, how will we move forward?” Afridi had said.
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That contrast has sparked debate among fans and analysts. For many, Afridi’s current stance highlights the complex reality faced by former players who balance personal beliefs with national positions. As the ICC weighs its response and possible sanctions, the episode once again underscores how geopolitics continues to shape the narrative around the world’s most high-profile cricket rivalry.
