Former India captain and ex-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has expressed deep surprise over the Pakistan government’s decision to bar its national team from playing against India in the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. While Pakistan has traveled to Sri Lanka for the tournament, their government has officially declared they will boycott the high-stakes clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
“I don’t know why Pakistan won’t play against India,” Ganguly told India Today. “This is the first time I’ve heard that Pakistan won’t play against India in a World Cup match.” The legendary left-hander noted that while political tensions have often affected bilateral series, a selective boycott within a global ICC event is unprecedented.
The Boycott: Solidarity with Bangladesh?
The Pakistan government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stated the boycott is a “considered stance” taken in solidarity with Bangladesh.
- The Backstory: Bangladesh was recently replaced in the tournament schedule by Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) declined to play its matches in India, citing security concerns.
- Pakistan’s Stance: Sharif argued that Pakistan stands with Bangladesh, claiming the ICC’s refusal to shift Bangladesh’s matches to a neutral venue was unfair.
- The Consequences: If the boycott proceeds, Pakistan will forfeit the match, giving India two points and a significant boost in Net Run Rate (NRR) without a ball being bowled.
ICC and SLC Issue Stern Warnings
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have reacted sharply, citing massive financial and integrity risks:
- Financial Ruin: The India-Pakistan match is the most lucrative fixture in cricket. Broadcasters could lose millions, and the ICC has warned the PCB it might withhold their $35 million annual revenue share to compensate.
- Sanctions: Pakistan faces potential suspension from future ICC events and a ban on overseas players participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
- Host Plea: SLC President Shammi Silva has directly contacted PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, reminding him that Sri Lanka’s tourism and gate revenues depend heavily on this specific fixture.
“India’s Chances are Bright”
Amid the controversy, Ganguly remains optimistic about India’s performance. As the defending champions playing on home soil (with co-hosting duties in Sri Lanka), he believes the current squad is at its peak. “India is a very strong team… the batting, the spin department, the seam bowling led by Bumrah. There is a lot of quality in the side,” he remarked.