Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
| Picture Credit score: AP
Calling Pakistan’s boycott of their T20 World Cup match in opposition to India an “acceptable determination, the nation’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that it was a “thought of stance” to help Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s cricket group has been advised by the federal government to skip the February 15 sport in Colombo after Bangladesh have been changed by Scotland for refusing to play its video games in India on account of “safety issues”.
“We’ve taken a really clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we can’t play the match in opposition to India as a result of there ought to be no politics on the sports activities subject,” Mr. Sharif acknowledged after a authorities assembly.
“We’ve taken a really thought of stance, and we must always fully stand by Bangladesh, and I believe it is a very acceptable determination. We’re with Bangladesh,” he added.
A furious ICC has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board of significant penalties if it fails to indicate up for the high-profile match, which is a cash magnet on the huge occasion for sponsors, broadcasters and advertisers.
The world physique has hoped that the PCB will “think about the numerous and long-term implications for cricket in its personal nation as that is prone to affect the worldwide cricket ecosystem, which it’s itself a member and beneficiary of.”
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Pakistan has reached Colombo for its different preliminary engagements, beginning with a sport in opposition to the Netherlands on Saturday (February 7, 2026).
The nation’s cricket board has already made it clear that it helps the federal government’s place and would go by its recommendation even when a rematch in opposition to India crops up in the course of the knockout stage.
Bangladesh’s refusal to journey to India for its share of matches was after its pacer Mustafizur Rahman was ousted from the IPL on BCCI’s directions. The Indian Board didn’t specify the explanations nevertheless it got here amid elevated assaults on Hindus there.
Revealed – February 05, 2026 10:58 am IST