Shaheen Shah Afridi, proper, of Pakistan speaks to Abhishek Sharma of India and Shubman Gill of India in the course of the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan at Dubai Worldwide Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Dubai, UAE. Photograph: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) late on Sunday mentioned Pakistan’s choice to selectively take part within the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 was “troublesome to reconcile with the basic premise of a world sporting occasion”, including that it was awaiting a proper communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“Tournaments are constructed on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency, and equity. Selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” the ICC mentioned in a press release. It urged the PCB to contemplate the long-term implications of the choice for cricket in Pakistan and its function within the international recreation.
“Whereas the ICC respects governments’ roles in issues of nationwide coverage, this choice just isn’t within the curiosity of the worldwide recreation or the welfare of followers worldwide, together with thousands and thousands in Pakistan,” it added.
The ICC burdened that the profitable supply of the T20 World Cup was a shared accountability of all member boards and inspired a mutually acceptable decision that protected the pursuits of all stakeholders.
The response got here hours after Pakistan introduced it could participate within the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 however wouldn’t play its extremely anticipated group match in opposition to India on February 15. The announcement, made by the federal government’s official X account, adopted consultations between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“The Authorities of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Group to take part within the ICC World T20 2026; nonetheless, the Pakistan Cricket Group shall not take the sector within the match scheduled on fifteenth February 2026 in opposition to India,” the assertion mentioned.
Additionally learn: Pakistan clears T20 World Cup entry however pulls out of high-stakes India conflict on Feb 15
The announcement didn’t clarify the explanations for skipping the India match and in addition didn’t make clear what would occur if Pakistan and India had been drawn to play one another within the knockout stage, creating uncertainty for organisers and broadcasters.
Observers mentioned Pakistan’s transfer seemed to be a calibrated strategy, avoiding a full boycott of the event whereas taking a political stance by withdrawing from the India fixture, even at the price of forfeiting factors.
Consultants mentioned the choice mirrored longstanding tensions between the 2 neighbours and up to date disputes over the organisation of the event, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
The occasion has already confronted controversy after Bangladesh was changed by Scotland. Bangladesh had sought to maneuver its matches from India to Sri Lanka over safety considerations, however the ICC rejected the request. Pakistan later expressed solidarity with Bangladesh, and the episode fuelled debate over governance, equity and safety in worldwide cricket.
Pakistan’s marketing campaign will now start in opposition to the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, adopted by matches in opposition to the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18. The highest two groups from the group will advance to the Tremendous Eight stage.
The India-Pakistan rivalry is cricket’s most commercially vital fixture, and Pakistan’s refusal to play the match may have monetary and aggressive penalties. Analysts say the ICC could have to revisit factors allocation, scheduling or contingency plans if the 2 groups meet later within the event.
India has not performed Pakistan in bilateral collection since 2012, and the 2 sides now meet solely in multi-nation occasions. Pakistan final toured India for the 2016 T20 World Cup, whereas India has not toured Pakistan since 2008.
To handle political sensitivities, the ICC accepted a hybrid mannequin for India-Pakistan matches in the course of the 2024–2027 cycle, requiring fixtures involving both nation to be held at impartial venues. Underneath this association, Pakistan’s matches within the 2026 World Cup might be performed in Sri Lanka.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has criticised the ICC’s dealing with of the Bangladesh venue dispute, calling it unfair, and authorities and PCB sources say Pakistan’s protest over governance points influenced the choice to skip the India match.
The event will characteristic 20 groups and run from February 7 to March 8. Earlier winners embrace India, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia.
