T20 World Cup 2026 is almost upon us. The tournament will be held in India and Sri Lanka, the co-hosts of the World Cup. The tournament is already shrouded in controversy after first Bangladesh pulled out of the tournament, and then Pakistan decided to boycott but said they will boycott the match against India. Notably, the decision to boycott the India match was announced by Pakistan government on X, and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent no official notification about it to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The reasons for Bangladesh’s decision are fairly clear, they didn’t want to tour India after Indian cricket board BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their team for the upcoming IPL. Add to that the anti-India sentiment being promoted in Bangladesh under the interim Yunus government. Pakistan’s decision to do is a bit more confusing.
Reportedly, the reason is that Pakistan doesn’t want to play against India during the World Cup because ICC refused to shift Bangladesh’s matches from India and schedule them in another country. However, if Pakistan is so keen to show solidarity with Bangladesh, then shouldn’t they have boycotted the entire tournament? After all, their “brother country” Bangladesh did so, then do what they did if you want to extend solidarity.
Notably, Bangladesh had asked their matches to be moved out of India during the World Cup, a request that was repeatedly refused, and eventually Scotland replaced Bangladesh in the tournament.
Yes, ICC will suffer a massive loss due to no India-Pakistan match in this tournament. There is a reason why India-Pakistan always end up in the same group during every multinational tournament and why that match always takes place on a Sunday after the draw, *money, money, money*. Was this match expected to generate most revenue in the tournament, absolutely. ICC and even BCCI stand to lose a lot of potential profits from the cancellation of this match.
But here is the thing, these (by now) annual clashes between India and Pakistan are the biggest money spinners for Pakistan Cricket Board most of all. For BCCI, it is just a few drops in the ocean with the money they generate through IPL, and with the Test series against the other big 3 nations. For that matter, any series India plays generates huge TV revenues and for white ball cricket, the stands are always jam packed. But can PCB let go of this revenue that they get from this match?
Another thing, what if miraculously Pakistan make it to the Final and have to face India again (who are one of the favourites for the tournament)? Will they forfeit the final as well, or will they then gulp their pride and play against India after stating earlier in the tournament that they won’t play them?
And what are they risking it all for? Because ‘Fizz’ wasn’t allowed to play in the IPL even after he was picked up in the auction?
On top of that, now PCB is risking sanctions and fines from ICC over this selective participation in an ICC tournament? ICC will look to recoup their losses from Pakistan and there is also a risk of suspension of PCB over government intervention in their affairs and not abiding by ICC rules.
Even if Pakistan (whose team is already in Colombo where India-Pakistan match is scheduled for February 15) agree to play the game now, it will again be at the result of their alleged pride.
There is no future scenario right now where PCB and Pakistan government comes out with any dignity or without suffering massive financial losses that could cripple their cricket board.
So was it all worth it to express fake solidarity with Mustafizur Rahman and Bangladesh, and to show how much they dislike India? Or is the boycott because they lost 3 times in a single tournament to Indian team and just don’t want another humiliating loss?
