The Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla responded to the reports of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) considering boycotting ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup is set to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan may pull out of their matches in India, in response to the BCCI’s reluctance to send their team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla spoke to the media on Sunday, during a players’ auction for a local league, and shared that the board is awaiting the government’s approval to send their team for Champions Trophy 2025.
“Pakistan can say whatever it wants about coming to India during the 2026 World Cup, but we are only waiting for the approval of the Indian government,” Shukla said.
Regarding the possibility of Pakistan pulling out of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will take place in India and Sri Lanka, Shukla remarked that they are free to express their opinions as they wish.
Another senior BCCI official stated that the board is expecting retaliation from Pakistan in case of India not visiting the neighbouring country. However, he stressed that PCB should understand that this matter is in the government’s hands, not in the board’s.
“Of course, we expect retaliation. If we don’t travel to Pakistan, they will threaten to boycott the Asia Cup. But PCB should understand that it’s not in BCCI’s hands,” said a senior BCCI official.
“Sending a team to a foreign country requires the government of India’s permission. So far, we have had dialogues regarding Champions Trophy. But we haven’t had any positive outcomes.”
It is worth mentioning here that India refused to tour Pakistan for last year’s Asia Cup and the continental event was thus, held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka emerging as a co-host.
As per the hybrid model, Pakistan could host only four matches while the rest of the games were played in Sri Lanka including the final.
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