ICC criticises Pakistan’s selective World Cup participation | The Express Tribune

The International Cricket Council (ICC) late on Sunday said Pakistan’s decision to selectively participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was “difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event”, adding that it was awaiting a formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“Tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency, and fairness. Selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” the ICC said in a statement. It urged the PCB to consider the long-term implications of the decision for cricket in Pakistan and its role in the global game.

“While the ICC respects governments’ roles in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” it added.

The ICC stressed that the successful delivery of the T20 World Cup was a shared responsibility of all member boards and encouraged a mutually acceptable resolution that protected the interests of all stakeholders.

The reaction came hours after Pakistan announced it would take part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 but would not play its highly anticipated group match against India on February 15. The announcement, made through the government’s official X account, followed consultations between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“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 statement said.

Also read: Pakistan clears T20 World Cup entry but pulls out of high-stakes India clash on Feb 15

The announcement did not explain the reasons for skipping the India match and also did not clarify what would happen if Pakistan and India were drawn to play each other in the knockout stage, creating uncertainty for organisers and broadcasters.

Observers said Pakistan’s move appeared to be a calibrated approach, avoiding a full boycott of the tournament while taking a political stance by withdrawing from the India fixture, even at the cost of forfeiting points.

Experts said the decision reflected longstanding tensions between the two neighbours and recent disputes over the organisation of the tournament, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.

The event has already faced controversy after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland. Bangladesh had sought to move its matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns, but the ICC rejected the request. Pakistan later expressed solidarity with Bangladesh, and the episode fuelled debate over governance, fairness and security in international cricket.

Pakistan’s campaign will now begin against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, followed by matches against the United States on February 10 and Namibia on February 18. The top two teams from the group will advance to the Super Eight stage.

The India-Pakistan rivalry is cricket’s most commercially significant fixture, and Pakistan’s refusal to play the match could have financial and competitive consequences. Analysts say the ICC may need to revisit points allocation, scheduling or contingency plans if the two teams meet later in the tournament.

India has not played Pakistan in bilateral series since 2012, and the two sides now meet only in multi-nation events. Pakistan last toured India for the 2016 T20 World Cup, while India has not toured Pakistan since 2008.

To manage political sensitivities, the ICC approved a hybrid model for India-Pakistan matches during the 2024–2027 cycle, requiring fixtures involving either country to be held at neutral venues. Under this arrangement, Pakistan’s matches in the 2026 World Cup will be played in Sri Lanka.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has criticised the ICC’s handling of the Bangladesh venue dispute, calling it unfair, and government and PCB sources say Pakistan’s protest over governance issues influenced the decision to skip the India match.

The tournament will feature 20 teams and run from February 7 to March 8. Previous winners include India, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia.