Pakistan’s stance on not facing India at the T20 World Cup 2026 has hardened following a public announcement by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Addressing his cabinet on Wednesday, Sharif confirmed that the Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan team will not take the field against defending champions India in their Group A clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
The statement has added fresh fuel to an already heated India–Pakistan cricket controversy, putting the ICC under renewed pressure to respond decisively. Shahbaz Sharif framed the decision as a show of solidarity with Bangladesh, insisting that sport should remain free from political influence.
“We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won’t play the match against India because Pakistan said this is a field of sports, not politics,” he said. Emphasising the same point, he added, “There should be no politics on the sports field… we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision.” The contradiction in invoking politics while claiming to keep sport apolitical has not gone unnoticed across the cricketing world.
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The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from India’s political and sporting circles. Former India cricketer and current politician Kirti Azad slammed Pakistan’s position, questioning the motive behind the boycott. He alleged that Sharif’s remarks were aimed at protecting Pakistan’s image on the cricket field rather than addressing genuine concerns.
Kirti Azad’s comments reflect the broader sentiment in India, where many see the decision as politically driven and detrimental to the spirit of international cricket. Adding another layer of uncertainty is the Pakistan Cricket Board’s reluctance to formally communicate the government’s decision to the ICC.
#WATCH | Delhi | On Pakistan to boycott its match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, TMC MP Kirti Azad says, “Shehbaz Sharif also knows, the whole of Pakistan knows, that they cannot win against India. He said this is the only way to save face… We had an… pic.twitter.com/F4iXp35lwl
— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2026
Reports suggest the PCB has not yet sent an official notification to the global governing body regarding the proposed boycott. Until that happens, the marquee India vs Pakistan fixture remains on the official T20 World Cup schedule, keeping fans, broadcasters, and tournament planners in limbo.
From an ICC perspective, the lack of formal communication complicates matters. The governing body is understood to be awaiting a clear, official stance from the PCB before outlining potential consequences or alternative arrangements. For tournament organisers, the India–Pakistan clash is the most commercially significant fixture of the group stage, driving massive global viewership and revenue. Any disruption has far-reaching implications beyond just two teams.
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As a cricket writer who has followed this rivalry for years, it’s hard to ignore how frequently politics overshadows the sport when India and Pakistan are involved. While players and fans on both sides crave high-quality cricket, decisions made in political corridors continue to shape the narrative. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the 2026 T20 World Cup can move past this impasse or whether the uncertainty will deepen further.
