Former PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani has claimed that the ICC cannot punish Pakistan for boycotting the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match against India on the 15th of February. He has claimed that they have no legal right to issue such a sanction against the PCB.
The Pakistan cricket team have made a massive announcement to not play against India in the ICC T20 World Cup, after they were permitted to feature in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 by their government. This marked an end to the speculations that Pakistan would be boycotting the entire tournament.
However, the revolutionary decision not to play against India was made after Bangladesh were snubbed from the ICC tournament. Pakistan had shown solidarity by backing Bangladesh in its move, and many feel that this would change the political dynamics in Southeast Asia.
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“There can’t be any sanctions against Pakistan if it follows the government’s instructions,” said the former PCB Chairman
After the decision had been announced, the ICC issued a strict ultimatum to the PCB to reconsider its plans with their government, or else be ready to face consequences in the longrun. However, Pakistan’s former stars feel that they can do no harm to the PCB.
Former PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani believes the ICC cannot punish Pakistan for having boycotted the fixture against India, since the ICC has no legal right to do so, as the decision has been taken by the Pakistan government and not the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“There can’t be any sanctions against Pakistan if it follows the government’s instructions. That was the basis on which India refused to play its 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. You can’t have double standards,” Mani told Sportstar.
Ehsan Mani blamed the ICC for mishandling the situation
Ehsan Mani constantly pinned on the Champions Trophy 225, when the Indian government cited security concerns and denied sending its team over to Pakistan, as a result of which the ICC rescheduled the games to Dubai, which also included the semi-final and final, where India were one of the competing teams.
However, Mani blamed the ICC for having mishandled the situation this time, as they ignored warnings that led to the escalation of the matter.
“So, unfortunately, again I come back to the fact that instead of dealing with the problem, the ICC just stood there as a bystander. You left the door open for any country to get its government involved. And especially knowing that the chairman of the PCB is a serving minister of the government,” he added.
India’s 2025 Champions Trophy denial is different from the current boycott by Pakistan – Here’s Why
While constant comparisons have been made between the situations of India denying travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and the current situation, here is a complete analysis of how the two scenarios are completely different.
When India denied travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the Champions Trophy schedule was not announced, and neither were the ticket sales for the live matches. Hence, this situation could not be cited as similar to Bangladesh’s recent demands.
Moreover, India never boycotted playing against Pakistan in International cricket and demanded to play at a neutral venue. The T20 World Cup match is already scheduled to be played in Colombo, which is a neutral venue for both India and Pakistan. Hence, Pakistan’s unfair boycott can most definitely be met with sanctions by the ICC, as it has nothing in common with India’s standpoint ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
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