Mohammad Hafeez, former Pakistan captain and all-rounder, has stated that India and Pakistan should play on a routine basis and further added that when India plays Pakistan on February 15 in the T20 World Cup, they should show full sportsmanship.
To be noted, India captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha during the Asia Cup 2025, and the Indian players followed suit, refusing the customary handshakes after the matches.
Mohammad Hafeez stated that he didn’t want a repeat of the Asia Cup when India and Pakistan clash in Colombo on February 15. The former Pakistan skipper wants to see both rivals play the game in the right spirit.
"Whenever there is talk about an India–Pakistan match, I have always been in favour of it because this is that match, that rivalry, which inspires the entire world. I truly hope the match happens — God willing. And it’s not just about this one game. I’m not into this match alone. What I want is for India–Pakistan matches to happen on a routine basis, with politics kept out of it forever,” Hafeez said on Tapmad.
"Both countries should be allowed to fully play the role they can in growing and spreading the game, and cricket should never be stopped because of politics. Secondly, whatever scenario emerges regarding an India–Pakistan match, we must always keep the integrity and the spirit of the game at the highest level. Whenever this match is played — if it happens on the 15th — it should be played with complete sportsmanship. We don’t want matches like the Asia Cup ones. If it’s going to be played like that, then frankly, I’d rather not watch it at all,” he added.
The PCB made a U-turn on their stance of not playing India in the T20 World Cup 2026, after the ICC agreed not to sanction Bangladesh for missing the T20 World Cup 2026 and awarding them one ICC event in 2028.
