In a bombshell development, the Pakistan National Cricket Team are considering boycotting the match against the India National Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s T20 World 2026.
As per the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule, India and Pakistan are set to lock horns with each other in a blockbuster clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.
No India vs Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cup 2026?
According to a report in Geo News, the Men in Green will not be participating in the match against the Men in Blue as an act of protest.
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Pakistan have decided to take such a bold decision because the International Cricket Council (ICC) has removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup 2026 after they refused to visit India for the competition.
At the moment, the Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking at several ways to damage the T20 World Cup 2026 and is reviewing various protest options.
The feeling inside the Pakistan camp is that skipping the match against India would cost them 2 points, but more significant losses will be suffered by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as India vs Pakistan offers the biggest revenue.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani government is not in the mood to send the team to Sri Lanka for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 despite the squad announcement.
Pakistan PM to make final decision
A source stated that the Pakistan Prime Minister will make the final decision on the matter, but overall, the belief of PCB is that ICC has given a step-motherly treatment to Bangladesh.
“The final decision rests with the prime minister, but early indications suggest that the government may not allow Pakistan to participate in the T20 World Cup,” a senior government source said.
“This is not just about cricket; it is about principles. Bangladesh has been deprived of its legitimate right, and the ICC’s step-motherly treatment has forced Pakistan to seriously rethink its participation.”
“There cannot be dual standards in international sports. On one hand, India enjoys the liberty to choose venues, while on the other, countries like Bangladesh are denied venue changes despite citing security concerns. If the ICC truly wants cricket to thrive as a global sport, such selective policies must end,” the source added.
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Pakistan to don black armbands during T20 World Cup 2026
Another report in Samaa TV claims that even if the Men in Green take part in the marquee event, they will aim to do some acts as a part of their protest against the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is led by Jay Shah.
The three main things that Pakistan are planning to do are donning black armbands in all of their T20 World Cup 2026 games, skipping the clash against India and dedicating each tournament win to Bangladesh cricket supporters.
Earlier, the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had said that the ICC treated Bangladesh unfairly and they shouldn’t have been replaced by Scotland in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
He said that Bangladesh should receive equal treatment as all the major Full Member teams, but due to India’s influence, they were booted out of the T20 World Cup. Naqvi also held a meeting with players where he explained the possibility of boycotting the entire competition.
