US EditionCricket Clash Averted: Politics Shadows India-Pakistan T20 Showdown | Sports-Games
Pakistan boycotts the India match in solidarity with Bangladesh after its removal over travel restrictions, risking ICC financial losses and potential penalties, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.
- On Thursday, Pakistan's government allowed the Pakistan national cricket team to participate but ordered a boycott of its group game against India, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling it an `appropriate decision`.
- After the Bangladesh government declined travel to India, Scotland replaced Bangladesh, and Mohsin Naqvi criticised the ICC for `double standards` last month.
- The International Cricket Council warned the Pakistan Cricket Board of consequences and said it could lose millions from broadcasters and sponsors if Pakistan boycotts the Group A game, while the PCB confirmed it will stand by the government's directive.
- Security assessments showed Bangladesh's threat perception was low to moderate, and Asif Nazrul publicly thanked Pakistan, despite the diplomatic fallout, on Thursday.
- Pakistan is scheduled to play India on February 15 in Sri Lanka, and the Green Shirts begin their group stage with a match against the Netherlands on Saturday, risking strain on cricket governance and broadcasters amid ICC warnings.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Why Pakistan’s squad at this year’s T20 world Cup feels like a team again
In 2015, Coke Studio released ‘Phir Se Game Uthadein’ — an anthem for the ODI World Cup set to happen the same year. It was inspired by Slogett and Carlone’s 1992 anthem ‘Who Rules the World’, the soundtrack to Pakistan’s first and most fabled major victory in cricket. Produced by Strings and sung by Atif Aslam, the song proclaimed “Jeet ki daastaan, phir ho gi jawaan” to the same tune as “Who’s gonna be number one, who’s gonna take up the cup?”…
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Backs India Match Boycott Due To Bangladesh Exclusion
Pakistan’s decision to boycott their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match against India has been backed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who described the move as solidarity with Bangladesh
Thank you, Pakistan: Bangladesh reveals big cricket nexus against India
ICC World Cup 2026: Bangladesh's sports adviser Asif Nazrul thanked Pakistan for backing Dhaka's boycott of the T20 World Cup, after Islamabad decided to skip its match against India in Colombo. A day earlier, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif publicly justified the move as standing "completely" with Bangladesh. This exposed how both governments made cricket a theatre of a political engagement against India.
Cricket-Brett Lee bats for India-Pak match but Pakistan PM calls boycott 'appropriate'
NEW DELHI, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Former Australia speedster Brett Lee would love to see India and Pakistan clashing in a Twenty20 World Cup blockbuster on February 15 but Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stood by their "appropriate" decision to boycott the match in Colombo.
Cricket Clash Averted: Politics Shadows India-Pakistan T20 Showdown | Sports-Games
Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee expresses disappointment over Pakistan's decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India. The political tensions between the two nations overshadow one of the tournament's most anticipated games. Pakistan's Prime Minister asserts the decision supports Bangladesh's stance against playing in India.
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