Sharif Confirms Pakistan’s Stand on India Clash
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has spoken openly about the decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. While addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad, he confirmed that Pakistan will not play the February 15 clash in Colombo. Sharif said the government took this step to support Bangladesh. He added that the decision followed detailed discussions. According to him, Pakistan wants to protect fairness in international cricket.
Bangladesh Exit Sparks Major Controversy
The dispute started after Bangladesh asked the ICC to move its matches to Sri Lanka. The team raised concerns about security in India. The situation worsened when Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur Rahman due to recent developments. Despite repeated appeals, the ICC found no serious threat. Officials asked Bangladesh to reconsider its position. When the team refused, the ICC replaced it with Scotland in Group C.
PCB and Government Reach Joint Decision
After Bangladesh’s removal, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi strongly opposed the ICC’s move. He warned that Pakistan could withdraw from the tournament. The government then held several meetings with PCB officials. After careful review, both sides agreed on a middle path. Pakistan will play in the World Cup but skip the match against India. Sharif said sports should remain free from politics. However, he stressed that Pakistan must stand with its allies.
ICC Warning and Tournament Impact
The ICC responded by urging Pakistan to change its decision. The body warned about possible long-term effects on Pakistani cricket. So far, the PCB has not sent an official letter to the ICC. Talks continue behind the scenes. India and Pakistan remain in Group A with Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA. India won its warm-up match against South Africa. Rain washed out Pakistan’s match against Ireland. Meanwhile, the boycott issue continues to dominate headlines.
