ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Will Pakistan not play against India? What is the latest update?
Pakistan to boycott India match in ICC T20 World Cup 2026: The cricket world is once again abuzz with discussions surrounding matches between India and Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan has made a surprising decision regarding the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in 2026, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The Pakistani government has given its national team permission to participate in the mega-tournament, but has taken a firm stance regarding the match against India.
According to the latest information, Pakistan is fully prepared to play in the tournament, and the government has given its team the green light to take the field. However, this approval comes with a major condition. Pakistan has officially decided that it will completely boycott the match against India during this World Cup. This decision is considered a major blow to the cricket world and its fans.
Highly anticipated match was scheduled for February 15
The ICC T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin in India and Sri Lanka on February 7. According to the schedule, the match between India and Pakistan is set to take place on February 15th. This is a high-voltage encounter that attracts the attention of the entire world.
Last week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, after a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said that "the Prime Minister has directed that all options be considered to resolve the matter."
Bangladesh had refused to play its T20 World Cup matches in India due to security concerns, after which Scotland was included in the tournament in its place.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had called the ICC's decision "wrong" and described it as a double standard.
The ICC's reaction to Pakistan's decision is not yet known. However, there are speculations that the ICC can ask Pakistan to compensate the broadcaster for the losses from their ICC revenue share. It is not clear what will happen if the final itself is between India and Pakistan.
Following Pakistan's announcement, there has been a flurry of reactions on social media.
Ruining their own cricket: Madan Lal
Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal told reporters that the Pakistani government and the PCB are "ruining their own cricket" with this decision.
He said, "This is not going to solve their problems. Someone needs to think straight. They are not thinking straight at all right now. They want to support Bangladesh. Go ahead, that's not our concern. But ultimately, it will be Bangladesh and Pakistan who will suffer. The fact is, New Zealand, England, South Africa, and Australia are the big cricketing nations that will bring in the crowds, and the sponsorships will go to them."
India and Pakistan have faced each other eight times in the T20 World Cup. Pakistan has won one match, while India has won the remaining seven.
In the ODI World Cup, the two teams have played against each other eight times. Pakistan has lost all eight matches.
Prakash Kumar Pandey