Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Pakistan’s cricket team will boycott the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against India. The decision is a show of support for Bangladesh amid ongoing political and cricketing tensions with India.
“We carefully considered this decision. On this matter, we must stand with Bangladesh and support them,” Sharif told his cabinet on Wednesday.
Team Will Follow Government Guidance
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said the team will follow government instructions regarding matches against India.
“The India match is not under our control. It is the government’s decision. If we face them in the semi-final or final, we will act according to their advice,” Agha said in Sri Lanka, where Pakistan will play all its World Cup matches.
Reason Behind the Boycott
On February 2, the Pakistani government announced that its team will not play against India on February 15. At the time, no reason was given.
However, it is widely believed the move protests Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament after they refused to travel to India for their T20 fixtures.
Sharif later clarified, stating:
“We will not play the match against India. Pakistan believes sport should remain separate from politics, and there should be no politics in sport.”
Tensions Triggered by IPL Incident
The boycott stems from a recent cricket controversy. Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that political tensions influenced this decision. Consequently, Bangladesh refused to participate in the T20 World Cup, which in turn prompted Pakistan’s boycott.
Impact on the T20 World Cup
India and Pakistan are in the same group and were scheduled to play a high-profile match in Sri Lanka, co-hosting the tournament with India.
Following Pakistan’s announcement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) stated:
“Selective participation undermines the spirit of the competition. While we respect governments’ roles in national policy, this decision does not serve the global game or fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.”
The ICC added that it awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and warned about long-term consequences for cricket if boycotts continue.
Possible Consequences for Pakistan
If Pakistan forfeits the match, they may lose points. However, it is unclear whether the PCB will face additional sanctions or bans from the ICC.
The T20 World Cup begins on Saturday, and the cricketing world is watching how these political tensions may affect the tournament.
