'We won't play': Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on India match
What's the story
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has confirmed the country's decision to boycott the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup match against India. The move comes as Pakistan shows solidarity with the Bangladesh side, which was recently removed from the tournament. The Pakistani government had earlier approved participation in the tournament. However, it decided to skip the fixture against India scheduled in Colombo.
Political stance
We should completely stand by Bangladesh: Shehbaz
"We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won't play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field," Sharif told his cabinet members on Wednesday. He added, "We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision."
Matter
How the matter escalated
The whole row stems from the BCCI's order to drop Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. This prompted the Bangladesh government to officially announce that its team would not play matches in India. After the ICC rejected a series of requests from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Scotland replaced the side. On the sidelines of this matter, the PCB showed support for the BCB. The former then announced its decision to boycott the India game on Sunday.
ICC response
ICC reacts to Pakistan's T20 WC boycott
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has already expressed concerns over Pakistan's selective participation in the tournament. The governing body said it hopes "that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of."
Squad
Pakistan's squad for 2026 T20 World Cup
Pakistan's squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup includes Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq. They will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, starting February 7, as part of the mutual agreement between India and Pakistan.