Metro53 - Lahore (Web Desk): Pakistan has decided not to play its scheduled match against India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which was set to take place on February 15. According to sources in the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the decision has been taken due to various political and diplomatic reasons.
Government’s Stance and Solidarity Position
Sources say the primary reason behind the decision is Pakistan’s reservations over certain decisions taken by the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding Bangladesh, which the government considers biased. Pakistan intends to express solidarity with Bangladesh on this issue, and as a result, decided not to play the match against India.
Government officials stated that some decisions on the ICC platform appear to favor one country while going against others, undermining the principles of justice and equality. On this basis, Pakistan chose to protest by refusing to play the match against India.
Meeting Between PCB and the Prime Minister
Key decisions regarding Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup were made during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Following the meeting, it was announced that Pakistan would participate in the global event; however, its stance of not playing against India would remain unchanged.
Match Details
The Pakistan–India match in the T20 World Cup was scheduled for February 15. Following Pakistan’s decision, discussions are ongoing within the ICC and global cricket circles regarding administrative and scheduling matters to ensure that the tournament proceeds without disruption.
Cricketing ties between Pakistan and India have remained limited over the past decade due to political and diplomatic issues, with the two teams mostly facing each other only in ICC events. The current decision continues this trend and has been taken in light of national interest and diplomatic principles.
Overall, Pakistan’s move carries an important message not only for cricket but also for international relations, and its implications are expected to remain a topic of discussion in global cricketing circles in the coming days.
