ICC T20 World Cup 2026: What Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said about decision not to play match against India? What will be impact on Pakistan team?
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated the decision not to play the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. He said that the country has made this decision after careful consideration.
Addressing his cabinet on Wednesday, Shehbaz Sharif said, "Regarding the T20 World Cup, we have taken a stand that we will not play the match against India. Pakistan has said that this is a playing field, not politics."
"There should be absolutely no politics on the playing field. We have taken a stand after much consideration. In this regard, we should stand completely with Bangladesh. This is a very appropriate decision."
Bangladesh had refused to play its T20 World Cup matches in India last month, citing security reasons. Scotland was subsequently included in the tournament in their place.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had called the ICC's decision 'wrong' and termed it a double standard.
Following this, on February 1, the Pakistani government announced that the Pakistani cricket team would boycott the match against India scheduled for February 15 in the T20 World Cup.
The Pakistani government posted on X, "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has granted permission to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. However, the Pakistan Cricket Team will not take the field for the scheduled match against India on February 15, 2026."
The Indian and Pakistani teams have been placed in Group A, one of the four groups created for the initial matches of the T20 World Cup.
After these matches, two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8 stage.
If the Pakistani and Indian teams qualify for the Super 8 stage, they will be placed in different groups.
This means the two teams can only face each other in the semi-finals or the final after the initial stage.
Pakistan's withdrawal will result in a victory for India in this match and two guaranteed points.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will need to win their remaining matches with a good run rate to qualify for the Super 8 stage.