There is a big drama going on regarding the India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026, but Ravichandran Ashwin feels that there is no possibility of this match being cancelled. The former India spinner is confident that the high-voltage India vs Pakistan match in Colombo on February 15 will go as planned, even though the Pakistan government has asked his team to skip the game.
Pakistan’s shocking decision before T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan recently announced that it will take part in the T20 World Cup 2026, which is being hosted by India and Sri Lanka, but will not play against the Men in Blue in the group stage. This decision was taken to show support towards Bangladesh after their exit from the tournament.
The move shocked the cricket world as the India vs Pakistan match is scheduled at a neutral venue without any security issues, unlike previous situations. After this announcement, ICC has warned Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its decision.
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Till now the PCB has not sent any official written communication to the ICC, which has made the situation even more confusing. ICC has also made it clear that selective boycott can harm the entire cricket system and if they boycott the Indian game then Pakistan will only suffer in the long run.
Ravichandran Ashwin confident, India vs Pakistan match will take place
Reacting to the India vs Pakistan drama, Ashwin feels that canceling the T20 World Cup 2026 match is too big and believes that financial pressure will force Pakistan to play. He told that if the match is abandoned then the broadcasters will demand huge compensation.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Aish: “100 per cent, the match between India and Pakistan will happen. I think it will happen. These decisions will be reversed in the next 3-4 days. And that’s my guess, and I hope I get to see the India-Pakistan match. Because there are a lot of business decisions in it. Pakistan has another problem.”
India vs Pakistan: Money pressure and PSL risk may force U-turn
He further said, “There could be financial loss also, because you have to compensate the broadcasters for whatever loss they have suffered. So, I think they will have to compromise. The financial thing involved will mean that other ICC member countries will also have to face loss. In the ICC meeting, all these members will say, “We are suffering these losses because of Pakistan.”
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The former Indian all-rounder also warned that such a move could have a negative impact on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as foreign players may refuse to participate in it citing security concerns. Ashwin further said, “PSL is also going to happen. Even in PSL, players can say that we will not come.”
Ashwin called boycott on ‘neutral venue’ unacceptable
He compared the current India vs Pakistan clash issue to the 1996 and 2003 World Cups, where teams did not play matches only due to security or travel problems at certain venues and not because of the opponent. He said Colombo is a safe and neutral venue, with no risk involved.
The former Indian off-spinner stressed that Pakistan’s demands are unacceptable and hoped that better understanding would prevail and fans would get to see high-voltage activities on the field between the arch-rivals.
Ravi Ashwin said, “Since Pakistan boycotted their match against India, they will have to pay the compensation demanded by the broadcasters. They will have to bear the loss, and if they do not do that, then all the foreign players can boycott the PSL citing security concerns.”pic.twitter.com/MaM30FFBWm
– Supravirat (@Mostlykohli) 4 February 2026
