ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has confirmed that Pakistan will boycott its scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against India, describing the move as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh amid the ongoing India-Bangladesh cricket dispute.
Addressing a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the prime minister said the decision was taken after careful consideration. “We have taken this stand after deliberation and decided that on this matter, we must stand with Bangladesh and support them,” he said.
The Pakistani government had announced on Sunday that the national men’s cricket team would not take the field against India on February 15, without initially providing a reason. The decision prompted widespread speculation, which was later clarified by the prime minister’s remarks.
Sharif said Pakistan believes sport should remain separate from political disputes. “Pakistan believes this is sport, not politics, and there should be no politics in sport,” he told cabinet members during a televised address.
Background to the boycott
The move follows Bangladesh’s exit from the T20 World Cup after refusing to travel to India for tournament fixtures. The situation escalated last month when Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League.
The decision, confirmed by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia, was linked to political tensions between India and Bangladesh and triggered a broader cricketing fallout in the region.
Pakistan and India were drawn in the same group and were scheduled to face each other in a high-profile match in Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament alongside India.
ICC response
Following Pakistan’s announcement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) expressed concern over the decision, warning that selective participation could undermine the integrity of the competition.
In a statement, the ICC said that while it respects the role of governments in national policy matters, the boycott is “not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide,” including supporters in Pakistan. The governing body said it was awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The ICC also cautioned that the move could have broader implications for Pakistan cricket and the global cricket ecosystem.
While Pakistan may forfeit two points by not playing the match, it remains unclear whether the PCB will face additional sanctions or disciplinary action.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on Saturday.
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