Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended Pakistan’s decision to not play its match against India in the T20 World Cup as one taken after great deliberation and said the country should fully stand by Bangladesh in the matter.

Pakistan came close to withdrawing from the tournament in solidarity with Bangladesh, who pulled out after refusing to play in India, citing security concerns. The government eventually cleared the team’s participation but it barred them from facing India in Colombo in a blockbuster clash on February 15.

Addressing the cabinet, the premier said while taling on Pakistan’s decision: “We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won’t play the match against India because Pakistan said this a field of sports, not politics. There should be no politics on the sportsfield. We have taken a very considered stance and we should completely stand by Bangladesh and I think this is a very appropriate decision.”

The decision was taken following a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PM Shehbaz.

The development came amid a broader Bangladesh controversy, which has already cast a shadow over the tournament. Bangladesh were removed from the T20 World Cup 2026 and replaced by Scotland in the tournament, a decision that triggered criticism from several quarters, including Pakistan, over what was described as inconsistent treatment by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Bangladesh’s replacement — following disputes related to hosting arrangements, security concerns and scheduling under the hybrid model involving India and Sri Lanka — intensified debate over governance and fairness in international cricket, with Pakistan openly expressing solidarity with Bangladesh earlier in the row.

The T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, is now facing renewed uncertainty as political considerations intersect with cricketing commitments. A Pakistan–India clash is traditionally the tournament’s biggest commercial draw, and Pakistan’s refusal could force the ICC to revisit scheduling or points-allocation scenarios.

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign begins against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, followed by matches against the United States on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.

Despite opting out of the India match, Pakistan’s participation in the rest of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 signals a calibrated approach rather than a full boycott, following days of speculation linked to the Bangladesh issue and regional tensions.

The ICC has called on the PCB to find a mutually acceptable solution after Pakistan announced it would boycott its match against India in the main event.

Pakistan’s spin-heavy squad are in winning form ahead of the T20 World Cup, but the controversial decision to forfeit their marquee clash against India could still trigger another early exit.

Read: Spin-heavy Pakistan hit form, but India boycott risks early T20 exit

With two points for a win, a forfeit of the match will leave Pakistan with no margin for error if they are to progress as one of the top two from a five-team Group A.

It means they must win their opening game against the Netherlands in Colombo on Saturday and beat the United States three days later to stay in contention.

Their final group game will be against Namibia on February 18.

Pakistan will be keen to avoid a repeat of the last T20 World Cup in 2024, where a shock super over defeat to co-hosts the United States led to them failing to get out of the group.

The side has since faced criticism for failing to adapt to the modern demands of T20 cricket, with the batting, particularly Babar Azam’s low strike rate, under scrutiny.

The criticism was fuelled by Pakistan’s record last year, where 21 of their 34 T20 international wins came against lower-ranked opponents.

Balochistan attacks

Referring to the events since Saturday’s attacks across multiple locations in Balochistan, the premier said 180 terrorists “were sent to hell” while 17 security personnel were martyred and 31 civilians lost their lives.

“You saw what a distressing event occurred in Gwadar that they martyred five women and children. They are so stonehearted — they are not at all human.”

The premier said the nation would always remember the sacrifices of the martyrs, adding that it was the state’s responsibility to look after their heirs.

He said it must be borne in mind that since Pakistan had achieved victory in its May 2025 conflict against India, “our eastern neighbour — our foe — and other khwarij want to become a thorn in Pakistan’s happiness and prosperity but God willing this won’t happen and this terrorism will be completely eliminated.”

The premier said it must be remembered how labourers who had gone to Balochistan to earn their living and small children and women were killed, calling it a painful moment that had sent the entire nation into mourning.

“But similarly, the nation is completely standing as an iron-laden wall with its law enforcement agencies and army. There will come a day when these sacrifices will bear fruit and terrorism will be eliminated forever from the country.”

Iran and US tensions

Referring to the recent situation with Iran as the country’s tensions with the United States escalate, the prime minister said Pakistan had played its full role in the matter. He said that he, the deputy prime minister and the field marshal had contacted and consulted with the Iranian leadership at different points.

“We played our full role as a brother that could have been played. In this, the role of Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and all Islamic countries were also involved and the entire effort is that a way comes out through talks which ends the threats looming in the region and peace is established.”

The premier also said that the entire country from Peshawar to Karachi would express solidarity with Kashmiris on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day with the day observed in various ways in multiple cities.

He said he would go to Azad Jammu and Kashmir himself to deliver a “message from the whole nation of solidarity”.

Meeting with K-P CM Sohail Afridi

PM Shehbaz also talked about his meeting with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday, adding that they had a “very good” discussion.

Read more: Centre, K-P bridge gaps over merged districts funds

Reiterating his past offer of support to the chief minister, PM Shehbaz said he told CM Afridi: “You are the chief minister of a very beautiful and important province where the people are very great Pakistanis and they’re brave and courageous who have given many sacrifices. In that regard, we kept one per cent for in the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) award before the divisible pool so you could look after terrorism-related matters.”

He said the chief minister was told that Rs800 billion had been given to K-P over the years under the NFC. PM Shehbaz added that CM Afridi reassured him of the completion of the Safe City project.

The premier said the chief minister made mention of some delayed payments to the province, adding that he immediately tasked Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and the finance minister and secretary to hold a meeting and eliminate whatever payment gaps were there.

“In summation, it was a good meeting with him and there should be hope that the matter will move forward.”

The prime minister also mentioned his engagements with the Kazakh president today, hailing them as taking place in a very positive and warm atmosphere. He praised the Kazakh president for delivering his point of view and affiriming his friendship and commitment with Pakistan.

“He publicly invited me to visit Kazakhstan and due to that, we have made a working group today in which we will make a five-year plan that will include strategic, trade, investment [and more]. They’re excelling in AI and IT.”

PM Shehbaz expressed optimism for rapid progress in financial ties with Kazakhstan. He also said that the Uzbek president was arriving tomorrow, saying he was hoping that the trip would prove to be a fulfilling one for advancing bilateral relations.