DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a firm warning to Pakistan following the government’s decision to boycott the high-profile T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, cautioning that selective participation could have serious consequences for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan and India were scheduled to face each other on February 15 in Colombo during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. However, on Sunday, the Government of Pakistan announced that while the national team will participate in the tournament, it will not play against India.
Soon after the announcement, the ICC released a strongly worded statement clarifying that it has not yet received any formal communication from the PCB regarding the decision. The global governing body expressed concern over what it described as “selective participation,” stating that such a stance conflicts with the core principles of international sporting events.
“The ICC notes the statement issued by the government of Pakistan regarding instructing its national team to selectively participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” the ICC said. “While official confirmation from the PCB is still awaited, selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global tournament where all qualified teams are expected to compete under the same schedule and conditions.”
The ICC emphasized that its tournaments are built on fairness, consistency, and sporting integrity, warning that refusing to face a specific opponent undermines the spirit of international competition.
“ICC events are founded on competitiveness, integrity, and equality,” the statement added. “Any form of selective participation weakens the sanctity of the competition and damages the credibility of the global game.”
While acknowledging the role of governments in national policy decisions, the ICC maintained that the move is not in the broader interests of cricket or its global fanbase, including millions of supporters in Pakistan.
“Although the ICC respects the authority of governments in matters of national interest, such a decision is not beneficial for the sport or its fans worldwide,” the governing body said.
In a clear message directed at the PCB, the ICC urged Pakistan’s cricket administrators to carefully assess the long-term impact of the decision, warning that it could affect Pakistan’s standing within the international cricket ecosystem.
“The ICC hopes the PCB will consider the significant and lasting implications for cricket in Pakistan, as the board is an integral member and beneficiary of the global cricket framework,” the statement noted.
The ICC further stressed that ensuring the smooth execution of the tournament is a shared responsibility of all member boards and called on the PCB to work toward a solution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. Under the tournament’s hosting model, Pakistan are scheduled to play all group matches in Sri Lanka. The Green Shirts will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by fixtures against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.
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