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PCB Silent, Government Speaks: Confusion Over India–Pakistan T20 World Cup Game
Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan boycott: Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif has revealed why Pakistan will not play against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Sharif says that in support of Bangladesh, Pakistan will not play against India in Colombo on February 15th.
The Pakistani government recently created a buzz by posting on social media that the Pakistani team will not be playing with the Indian team in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. The reason behind this decision was, however, not stated. This led to the ICC and the PCB coming face to face with each other. Now, the Pakistani Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, has announced in public that the Pakistani team will not be playing with the Indian team on the 15th of February, stating this decision to be political and taken in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Sharif's comments on this issue are the first to explain why this decision was made. Addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad, Sharif said, "We have taken a very clear stance on the T20 World Cup: we will not play against India, because there should be no politics on the field of play. We have taken this stance after careful consideration, and we fully stand with Bangladesh, and I believe this is a very correct decision."
It is worth noting that the ICC had removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, rejecting their request not to play in India. The ICC included Scotland in the tournament in place of Bangladesh after a 14-2 vote, with Pakistan being one of the two dissenting members.
Pakistan now has an opportunity to target the ICC, as they believe the premier cricket body favors India. With its decision to forfeit the India-Pakistan match, the PCB is poised to hit the ICC where it hurts most. They would take away the ICC's source of revenue, the India vs. Pakistan match. Each match is worth approximately $250 million (approximately ₹2230 crore), and any disruption could have serious consequences for the ICC, broadcasters, and member boards.
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Even though Sharif has now explained his reasons, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has remained silent on the matter. Despite the government's public announcement, the PCB has not officially informed the ICC of its decision to boycott the India match. As a result, the match is technically still on schedule.
According to reports, the ICC is awaiting formal notification before taking any action. Without this, the governing body cannot declare a walkover or impose sanctions. PCB sources have defended their silence by arguing that the decision is the government's and no separate letter is required.
