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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday addressed Pakistan’s decision to boycott their T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India, warning that “selective participation” could have serious implications for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan were originally scheduled to face arch-rivals India on February 15 in Colombo during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
However, the Government of Pakistan announced on Sunday that the national team will take part in the tournament but will not play India.
Within hours of the government’s announcement, the ICC released a strongly worded statement, clarifying that it has not yet received official communication from the PCB regarding the matter.
“The ICC notes the statement that the government of Pakistan has made regarding the decision to instruct its national team to selectively participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” the ICC said in a statement.
“While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), 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 further stressed that its tournaments are built on sporting integrity and fairness, warning that refusing to play a particular opponent undermines the very foundation of international competition.
“ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” it added.
Although the ICC acknowledged the role governments play in national policy decisions, it maintained that the move is not in the sport’s best interests and could hurt cricket fans, including millions in Pakistan.
“While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” the statement continued.
In a clear warning aimed at the PCB, the ICC urged Pakistan’s cricket authorities to reflect on the long-term consequences of such a stance.
“The ICC 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,” it said.
The governing body also called on the PCB to find a solution that safeguards the tournament and the interests of all stakeholders.
“The ICC’s priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which should also be the responsibility of all its members, including the PCB,” the ICC further stated.
“It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.”
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA, and are set to play all their matches in Sri Lanka under the tournament’s hosting model.
The Green Shirts will open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by matches against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.
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