Pakistan remained adamant on skipping the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India in Colombo on February 15 to show its support to Bangladesh, which was thrown out by the ICC due to its unreasonable demand to play its matches only in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan sticks to plan to boycott India’s matches in T20 World Cup 2026
Even on February 4, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had confirmed that he will not play the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. Sharif said in Islamabad, “We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India.”
If that happens, India will automatically get two points, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could face a serious fine from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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PCB is looking for a way to avoid ‘force majeure’
However, Pakistan is reportedly planning to use the “force majeure” clause, which refers to “unforeseen circumstances that may prevent the contract from being completed”, to avoid heavy ICC penalties.
This clause allows a team to withdraw if for some sudden and unexpected reason it becomes impossible to play. According to The Indian Express report, the PCB may point to a social media post by the Pakistan government calling for a boycott and claim that they were asked to follow it.
Sources claimed that the PCB may argue that this is an “exceptional situation” and their last option is to boycott India’s match in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2025 in Colombo.
BCCI rejected Pakistan’s argument
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finds Pakistan’s argument weak, as they had no problem playing India in the Under-19 World Cup, on the same day their government called for a boycott of the senior T20 match.
“When Pakistan had no problem playing India in the Under-19 World Cup, the same day their government posted a call to boycott the T20 World Cup game, it won’t make any difference,” The Indian Express quoted a BCCI source as saying.
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The BCCI also highlighted the relationship between the PCB and Pakistan, which is another case of political interference in cricket. The official further added, “Also, when it comes to the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan government, there is not much difference. The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the patron-chief of the PCB, and the head of the board is a minister.. Pakistan and Bangladesh boards are mixing politics with cricket“
Why are questions raised on boycott of Pakistan?
Last year, BCCI and PCB had agreed to play their matches at neutral venues, so skipping the India-Pakistan match is considered a deliberate move.
“Despite repeated statements by the Indian government to ensure security to their team, the Bangladesh team did not travel to India. Now, Pakistan is also behaving inappropriately. There has been an understanding that India and Pakistan will play at a neutral venue in ICC competitions. Boycotting the game is just mischief,” the official said.
