The Government of Pakistan on Sunday (February 1) announced that its men’s team will be travelling to Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup 2026 but they will not be playing the group-stage match against arch-rivals India on February 15. No official reason has been provided for this move.
Pakistan’s ‘boycott’ move has been drawing backlash from all quarters. Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria also slammed the decision, suggesting that the forfeiture against India will harm their own cricket more than anyone else's.
Kaneria further said that this decision reflects a negative message that "Pakistan are scared of facing India, which is why they are refusing to play."
"There is no logic in boycotting this match. Pakistan seems to think that it is supporting Bangladesh, which has already been knocked out of the tournament. But they should focus on their own cricket and where they are taking it. This sends a message that people will feel Pakistan are scared of facing India, which is why they are refusing to play," Kaneria, Pakistan's highest wicket-taking spinner in Tests with 261 scalps to his name, told IANS.
"With this decision, Pakistan has made its path to the semifinals or knockouts much more difficult. I think it's a very, very wrong decision. If Pakistan believes that the India-Pakistan game is a revenue-generating cream, then that rivalry doesn't really exist anymore, because Pakistan cricket is not playing brand cricket which India is playing. India has beaten Pakistan at every stage of the World Cup, whether it's the T20 World Cup or the 50-over World Cup," he added.
On the prospect of Pakistan facing India in the knockout stage of the tournament, Kaneria said, "Decisions like this increase the consequences. They did not think long-term, especially about Bangladesh. Taking such decisions emotionally, without proper thought, is not right in my opinion. Decisions should be taken carefully and wisely. You didn't play the first match, but if tomorrow you meet India in the semifinal or final, will you just hand over the trophy by saying you won't play the final?
"You should come onto the ground, fight it out, and win from there-then it feels like you've taken revenge for everything. But boycotting like this doesn't make any difference at all."
Commenting on how the players are feeling about this decision, Kaneria concluded by saying, "I think many Pakistani cricketers would be upset, but they are in a position where they cannot openly speak about it."
Pakistan made the decision to boycott India match days after the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s plea to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka. BCB had cited ‘security concerns” for their players in India following heightened tensions between the two countries and the release of Mustafizur Rahman by IPL franchise KKR on BCCI’s instructions.
However, the apex body turned down the request, saying no such verifiable threat existed while also highlighting the logistical difficulty of altering the tournament schedule so close to the event. Bangladesh maintained their stance and were later replaced by Scotland in the 20-team competition.
Pakistan are slated to play all their T20 World Cup fixtures in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model agreement with the BCCI and ICC till 2027.
If the Men in Green fail to take the field against India on February 15, the match will be ruled a forfeit under ICC rules, resulting in an automatic loss of two points and a hit to their net run rate. Moreover, severe sanctions are likely to be imposed on PCB that could isolate Pakistan cricket.
(With IANS Inputs)
