Pakistan has announced it will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 but will boycott its scheduled match against India on February 15, in an unprecedented move.
The decision was announced by the Government of Pakistan on Sunday, days after the International Cricket Council removed Bangladesh from the tournament following Dhaka’s concerns over playing matches in India.
In a post on X, the government said it had granted approval for Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup but made it clear that the national team would not take the field against India.
Solidarity with Bangladesh and protest against ICC
Government sources told private media that Pakistan’s decision was taken to show solidarity with Bangladesh and to protest what was described as the ICC’s biased treatment of member nations.
According to the sources, the Pakistan team was specifically instructed not to play the February 15 match as a form of protest against the ICC’s handling of Bangladesh’s security concerns.
The sources further claimed that decisions taken under the current ICC leadership, headed by Jay Shah, have effectively undermined the principles of fairness and equality within global cricket.
They alleged that the ICC has applied different standards to different countries turning the council into an extension of the Indian cricket board.
Pakistan’s stance is expected to intensify debate within international cricket and place additional pressure on the ICC as the tournament approaches.
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