The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is facing a critical situation as the Pakistan government has approved the team’s participation but has prohibited them from playing against India on February 15.
This selective boycott in Colombo follows Bangladesh being removed from the event, creating tension between the PCB and the ICC just days before the February 7 kickoff. While the Salman Ali Agha-led team has arrived in Sri Lanka to start their campaign against the Netherlands, the risk of forfeiting the highly anticipated match looms ahead.
Ashwin claims Pakistan may still play India in T20 World Cup 2026 despite boycott
Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is confident that the match will occur, despite the political tensions. On his YouTube channel, Ash ki Baat, he emphasized that the PCB could face significant financial issues due to their decision.
He highlighted that the board might need to refund broadcasters for the massive revenue loss from this match, estimated around ₹2,300 crore ($250 million). Ashwin noted that other ICC nations could also be impacted financially, pressuring Pakistan to reconsider their stance in upcoming meetings.
“I am certain the match between India and Pakistan will take place. I believe the next few days will see a change in these decisions. The financial implications are huge, and other ICC members might voice their concerns due to losses incurred because of Pakistan’s decision. The PSL is also approaching, and players may hesitate to participate,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin discusses differences from past ICC tournament boycotts
Ashwin explained why the current situation is different from boycotts in the 1996 and 2003 World Cups. He noted that those instances involved teams like Australia, England, and the West Indies not traveling due to security concerns at certain venues, while the upcoming India-Pakistan match is scheduled for a neutral location. He asserted that refusing to compete against a specific opponent at a neutral site is unacceptable in today’s Cricket.
“Historically, the 1996 and 2003 World Cups saw teams decline to play due to venue-related issues. However, this time, Pakistan and India will face each other at a neutral venue. Declining to play a specific opponent is not justifiable. I hope practical decisions are made to ensure these matches take place,” Ashwin concluded.
Also READ: Pakistan’s boycott of India match in T20 WC 2026: List of teams that forfeited ICC event matches
