Pakistan have announced that they will play in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but not in the game against India, without the fear of losing 2 points or the possibility of being issued a ban by the ICC. Former PCB selector Rashid Latif has cited this as a stand against the ICC in support of the BCB; However, he left open the possibility of a reversed decision.
The Pakistan government has stunned Pakistan with its latest announcement of boycotting the World Cup group-stage game against India, despite Sri Lanka traveling for the remainder of the World Cup. This clash was to take place in Colombo on 15 February.
It is not unprecedented for teams to be out of ICC matches. In 1996, teams from Australia and the West Indies refused to travel to Sri Lanka due to security concerns; In 2003, England refused to play against Zimbabwe due to political tensions and finally, New Zealand did not go to Nairobi to play against Kenya in the same World Cup.
“Things have changed since the Bangladesh episode,” Latif said on Pakistan’s boycott of the World Cup match against India.
After the revolutionary announcement was made, former Pakistani captain Rashid Latif gave a candid statement in an exclusive conversation with The Times of India, claiming that Pakistan’s boycott of the match is a direct step towards dismantling the ICC’s financial and administrative structure. He told that most of the expectations of the World Cup are regarding the Pakistan vs India match.
Latif from Islamabad says, “Till now, everything was going well. Both Pakistan and India agreed that we would play in a hybrid model for the next three years. The Asia Cup was held in Dubai. The Pakistan women’s team played in the Women’s ODI World Cup in Sri Lanka. Everything was going well, but things have changed since the Bangladesh episode.”
The former captain admitted that Pakistan had never supported Bangladesh like this before. Mohsin Naqvi also voted in favor of Bangladesh at the ICC meeting, and Latif suggests that despite their recent on-field struggles, Pakistan is still a formidable team in terms of global cricket and World Cup viewership.
“Whether it is India or Pakistan, 60-70 percent people watch the World Cup because of India-Pakistan matches,” he said.
Rashid Latif said, “This decision is not on India. It has a direct impact on the ICC.”
When India clashes against Pakistan, viewership runs into millions, sponsorship valuations soar, and broadcasters plan their entire business strategy around these clashes.
If Pakistan does not take the field on the 15th, it will not only lose two points but also face a ban for flouting the ICC-regulated schedule in a multi-team tournament. Rashid Latif claimed, “This decision is not on India. It has a direct impact on the ICC.”
He says, “Pakistan generally does not take such decisions. The PCB is also not afraid of sanctions. It will have a big impact. This year there is the Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Pakistan can also play India there. Then there is also the Champions Trophy in 2028, which India will host. So the matter will not end here. It seems that Pakistan has taken this step after a lot of thinking.”
He also told that it will not be limited to just this World Cup, but will be the entire schedule of ICC and ACC. As such incidents can be repeated by any side in the upcoming Asia Cup, Women’s World Cup (to be held later this year) and the Champions Trophy, which will next be held in India in 2028.
Rashid concluded, “In 24 hours, anything is possible.”
However, Rashid Latif showed some significant confidence in the role of the broadcasters. He claimed that businessmen are above governments and broadcasters will find some way to convince the government. Such decisions have been overturned by broadcasters on previous occasions.
Although he believes that the decision has been taken at the right time, Latif has also kept open the possibility of change in the stance of the Pakistan government. “There is always backdoor diplomacy. Anything is possible in 24 hours.”
Rashid Latif hints at possible U-turn by Pakistan – “Anything can happen in the next 24 hours.” pic.twitter.com/V3vQTWSeEW
– Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) 1 February 2026
Also read: Pakistan said yes to T20 World Cup, but no to the competition with India; ROCKS boycott global cricket
