Pakistan’s boycott decision of T20 World Cup against India was about Bangladesh, says PM Shehbaz Sharif

The much-anticipated India–Pakistan clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has landed in controversy after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that his country will boycott the group-stage match against India, calling it a “clear stand” taken after careful consideration, reported Dawn.

The high-profile fixture, scheduled for February 15 in Sri Lanka, is now uncertain, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) stressing that all teams are expected to participate fully to protect the spirit of the global tournament.

Why did Pakistan announce a boycott?

Addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad, Sharif said Pakistan had decided not to play the match as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh, which was earlier replaced in the tournament schedule.


“We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India,” Sharif said.
“There should be no politics in sports. We have taken this decision after careful deliberation.”

The Pakistan government had earlier stated that the national team “shall not take the field” for the match, without initially providing a reason.

ICC calls for full participation

The ICC responded by emphasising that international tournaments rely on fairness and equal participation.

In a statement, the governing body said selective participation does not align with the principles of a global sporting event and urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to work towards a mutually acceptable solution.

The ICC also pointed out that such decisions could affect the wider cricket ecosystem, including fans, broadcasters and stakeholders worldwide.

What happened with Bangladesh?

Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board declined to play its matches in India, citing security concerns. The ICC maintained there was no verified threat and said shifting fixtures at short notice was not feasible.

Scotland, the highest-ranked side among non-qualified teams, was subsequently included in the tournament.

A big match that fans may miss

India–Pakistan encounters are among the most watched fixtures in world cricket, often drawing millions of viewers across the globe. Any disruption to the contest could disappoint fans and impact tournament revenues.

On the sporting side, India have historically held the edge in ICC T20 World Cups, winning seven of the eight meetings between the two teams.

Tournament schedule and groups

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. Both sides have already announced their squads for the competition.

With the tournament approaching, the ICC hopes all stakeholders can find a practical solution that keeps the focus on cricket. For fans, the hope remains the same, that the game, not politics, takes centre stage.

Inputs from ANI