Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially addressed the decision to not play against India in the T20 World Cup 2026, confirming that the move was taken in solidarity with Bangladesh. The announcement follows the Government of Pakistan’s earlier statement that the national team would take part in the tournament but would not compete in the high-profile Group A clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
The decision came after Bangladesh was removed from the tournament when it refused to travel to India citing security concerns. Despite multiple appeals from the International Cricket Council and an independent security assessment that found no credible threat, Bangladesh maintained its position and was replaced by Scotland. Pakistan expressed strong dissatisfaction with the handling of the situation, leading to internal discussions between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the federal government.
Speaking during a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, Prime Minister Sharif stated that Pakistan has taken a principled stance, emphasizing that sports should remain free from political influence. He said the government carefully evaluated the situation before deciding not to face India, adding that Pakistan stands firmly with Bangladesh and believes the decision reflects fairness and unity within the cricketing community.
Following the announcement, the ICC urged Pakistan to reconsider its position, warning that such a move could have long-term consequences for cricket in the country. While the PCB has not yet submitted a formal response to the ICC, discussions are reportedly ongoing behind the scenes. Both India and Pakistan remain part of Group A alongside Namibia the Netherlands and the United States, with their respective tournament campaigns beginning on February 7.
