ICC warns Pakistan against India match boycott at T20 World Cup

Islamabad: The International Cricket Council (ICC) said it is awaiting official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on reports that Pakistan plans to boycott its group match against India at the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, warning that such a move could undermine “the spirit and sanctity” of global events.

“This position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule,” the ICC said.

Pakistan’s government has confirmed that the national team will participate in the 20-team tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, but will not play its scheduled Group A match against arch-rival India on February 15 in Colombo. Because of political tensions, Pakistan is playing all its matches in Sri Lanka, including any knockout fixtures.

No official reason has been given for the planned boycott, though PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has accused the ICC of “double standards” after it declined to move Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh was subsequently replaced by Scotland in the tournament. Naqvi had voiced strong support for Bangladesh and left the final call on Pakistan’s participation to the government after briefing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The ICC said its priority remains the successful staging of the T20 World Cup and urged the PCB to seek a “mutually acceptable resolution” that protects the interests of all stakeholders. It also cautioned Pakistan to consider the long-term implications for cricket in the country, noting that the PCB is itself a member and beneficiary of the global cricket ecosystem.

Pakistan opens the tournament against the Netherlands on Saturday in Colombo, followed by matches against the United States on Feb. 10 and Namibia on Feb. 18. If Pakistan forfeits the India match, India would be awarded two points.

A Pakistan-India clash is traditionally one of the biggest draws at ICC tournaments and a major revenue source through broadcasters and sponsors. The two nations have not played a bilateral series for 14 years, though they regularly face each other at ICC events.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said the team would abide by government instructions. “It’s not our decision, we can’t do anything about it,” he said after leading Pakistan to a 3-0 T20 series win over Australia in Lahore on Sunday.

Political tensions have previously spilled onto the field, most notably during last year’s Asia Cup in the UAE, when Indian players declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in three matches, including the final.