As the T20 World Cup countdown ticks to just three days, the cricketing world remains fixated on a singular, volatile headline: Pakistan’s refusal to play India.
While the Pakistan government has greenlit the team’s travel to Sri Lanka for the tournament, it has strictly forbidden them from taking the field against their arch-rivals on February 15 in Colombo. This decision has sparked a furious debate on sanctions, double standards, and the mathematical precipice Pakistan now faces in Group A.
Former ICC Chairman Ehsan Mani has thrown a lifeline to the PCB's defence, arguing that Pakistan cannot be punished for adhering to government directives.
The logic: Mani cites India’s refusal to play the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan as the precedent. "You can’t have double standards... the ICC just stood there as a bystander," he told Sportstar.
Historical echoes: Similar government-mandated forfeits occurred in 1996 (Australia/West Indies in Sri Lanka) and 2003 (England in Zimbabwe), with no sanctions beyond points lost.
However, current sentiment within the cricketing fraternity suggests patience is wearing thin. Ravichandran Ashwin predicted a U-turn, stating, "Broadcasters will lose a lot of money... 100% the match will happen. Pakistan will backtrack."
If Pakistan boycotts the India game, they forfeit 2 points. In a competitive five-team group, this leaves them walking a tightrope.
To qualify for the Super 8s, Salman Ali Agha’s men likely need to win all three of their remaining fixtures:
vs Netherlands (Feb 7)
vs USA (Feb 10)
vs Namibia (Feb 18)
A single slip-up, like their shock loss to the USA in 2024, would almost certainly result in elimination.
Despite the off-field chaos, Pakistan enters the tournament in form, fresh off a 3-0 sweep of Australia.
Strength: A spin-heavy attack featuring Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, and all-rounders Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub.
Weakness: The omission of experienced keeper Mohammad Rizwan leaves the gloves in the hands of makeshift options like Usman Khan or Khawaja Nafay.
Our job is to win, and we are capable of doing that. The boycott is not our decision; we have to follow what our government decides.Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan Captain