Former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad has launched a sharp attack on Pakistan over its decision to boycott the group-stage clash against India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, saying the move was driven by the belief that Pakistan cannot defeat India.
Azad’s remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the boycott, calling it an “appropriate” and “considered” decision taken in support of Bangladesh. Speaking after a government meeting on Wednesday, Sharif said Pakistan had taken a firm stand not to play India, insisting that politics should have no place in sport.
“We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won’t play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field,” Sharif said.
Reacting strongly, Azad — a member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team — said Pakistan was simply trying to avoid embarrassment on the field.
“Shehbaz Sharif knows it, the whole of Pakistan knows it — they can’t win against India. So they thought it was better to save face,” Azad told ANI. “They are ICC members, so the match will get cancelled. India should not have played Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup either.”
Pakistan’s decision relates to its group-stage fixture against India scheduled for February 15, 2026, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Pakistan government formally announced its stance in a post on X, stating that while it had approved the national team’s participation in the tournament, it would not allow the side to take the field against India.
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India,” the post read.
No specific reason was offered by the Pakistan government for refusing to play India.
The decision comes at a time when the Indian team is in formidable form. India recently dominated New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, winning 4-1, and enters the World Cup as one of the tournament favourites.
Hours after Pakistan’s announcement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a strongly worded response, stating that “selective participation” undermines the core principles of global sporting competitions.
In an official release, the ICC said it had taken note of the Pakistan government’s statement and stressed that all qualified teams are expected to compete according to the tournament schedule.
“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,” the ICC said, adding that it expects the PCB to work towards a mutually acceptable solution that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders.