Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif breaks silence on boycott of T20 World Cup match against India

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly addressed for the first time the decision to boycott the country’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match against India, stating that the move reflects the government’s solidarity with Bangladesh and its opposition to mixing politics with sport, as per reports.

Speaking during a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, Sharif said the government had taken a firm position on the issue after detailed consideration. “We have made it clear that Pakistan will not play the T20 World Cup match against India,” Sharif told ministers.

Emphasising his government’s stance, the Pak PM said sports should remain separate from political disputes. “There should be no politics in sports. This decision was taken after careful deliberation. We stand with Bangladesh, and we believe this is the correct course of action,” he added.

The comments come after a social media post by the Pakistani government on February 1 drew international attention to the boycott. In response, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released a statement urging Pakistan to reconsider, warning that such a move could have long-term consequences for cricket in the country.

Despite the public declarations, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet formally communicated the decision to the ICC. Sources indicate that informal discussions are under way between relevant stakeholders, suggesting that the situation remains fluid and unresolved.