India and Pakistan are slated to face off on February 15 in Colombo, but the Pakistani government has denied taking the field for the match.
Back when the Pakistan Government posted on their social media that the Pakistan cricket team won’t play against India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, they didn’t share a reason. While everyone knew that all the politics behind the power game has circled around cricket, now an official statement has come from the highest authority in the country. On Wednesday night, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly confirmed that Pakistan will not take the field against India on February 15 in Colombo, stating the move as a political stand taken in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Until now, the boycott existed only as a government announcement on social media, with no clear reasoning attached and no formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board to the ICC. Sharif’s comments is the first time anyone from the Pakistani establishment has directly addressed why the decision was taken.
“We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won’t play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field. We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision,” Sharif said while addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad.
Pakistan in support of Bangladesh
Bangladesh were removed from the T20 World Cup after their government refused to send the team to India, citing security concerns and requesting that their matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. The ICC rejected that proposal and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland following a 14–2 vote, with Pakistan among the two dissenting members.
However, Pakistan have now found this opportunity to call out ICC as they think that the biggest cricketing body favours India. With their forfeit of the India-Pakistan game, the PCB is ready to hurt the ICC where it pains the most. They will strip the ICC of the cash cow, which is an IND vs PAK game. India–Pakistan matches are the financial backbone of ICC tournaments. Each clash is valued at roughly $250 million (approx. INR 2230 crore), and any disruption could have serious consequences for the ICC, broadcasters, and member boards.
PCB silence, ICC pressure and a match that still exists on paper
While Sharif has now explained the reasoning, the Pakistan Cricket Board continues to maintain an unusual silence. Despite the government’s public announcement, the PCB has not officially informed the ICC of its decision to boycott the India match. As a result, the fixture technically remains on the schedule.
According to reports, the ICC is waiting for a formal communication before taking any action. Without it, the governing body cannot declare a walkover or impose sanctions. PCB sources have defended the silence by arguing that the decision came from the government and does not require a separate letter.
“Since it’s a government decision and conveyed through an official platform, there is no need to write to the ICC,” sources told Telecom Asia Sports. “Did India ever submit a government letter when they didn’t travel to Pakistan?”
That comparison, however, is stunning. India never announced a boycott days before a World Cup match. Pakistan has. India, meanwhile, are sticking rigidly to protocol. Suryakumar Yadav’s side will travel to Colombo, train, attend the pre-match press conference and walk out for the toss. If Pakistan do not appear, the referee will award a walkover and two points to India.
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