BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla has issued a strong warning against misinformation after a Pakistani TV show used AI-generated audio to misrepresent his views on the ongoing India-Pakistan T20 World Cup standoff.
The controversy arose during a broadcast on ARY News, hosted by former cricketer Shoaib Malik. The show aired a “cloned” audio clip of Shukla appearing to confirm that the BCCI had made repeated requests to the ICC to convince Pakistan to play. Shukla clarified on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, that the audio was completely fabricated.
The Misinformation vs. The Reality
The AI-altered audio was designed to create a narrative that the BCCI was desperate for the match to proceed. However, Shukla’s actual stance has been consistent: the BCCI would follow whatever decision the ICC made.
| Feature | Fabricated AI Audio (Fake) | Rajeev Shukla’s Actual Statement |
| Claim | BCCI made “repeated requests” to convince Pakistan. | ICC took the lead in deliberations with PCB and BCB. |
| Tone | Suggests a pleading stance from the BCCI. | Praises ICC for an “amicable, win-win solution.” |
| Outcome | Delighted by BCCI’s “success” in persuasion. | Delighted that “cricket is given priority” over politics. |
‘I urge everyone not to believe or circulate this misleading content and to report it wherever such videos are seen,” Shukla posted on X.
Background: The 2026 T20 World Cup Standoff
The AI controversy follows a tense week of “cricket diplomacy” after Pakistan initially threatened to boycott the February 15 clash in Colombo in solidarity with Bangladesh.
- The Standoff: Pakistan’s government had instructed the team not to play India after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the tournament (following their refusal to travel to India).
- The Resolution: A tripartite meeting in Lahore involving the ICC, PCB, and BCB resulted in a breakthrough. The ICC agreed not to penalize Bangladesh and promised them hosting rights for a future ICC event before 2031.
- The U-Turn: On Monday, February 9, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially directed the team to “take the field” against India to protect the “spirit of cricket.”