Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has offered a measured response after the Pakistan government confirmed that the national team will not play against India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, calling on the ICC to demonstrate neutrality through action rather than words.
The marquee India–Pakistan clash was scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, but Pakistani players have reportedly been instructed not to take the field following the government’s directive. The development comes amid wider controversy surrounding the tournament, particularly after the ICC’s decision to remove Bangladesh, a move that has attracted criticism from multiple quarters.
In the days leading up to the announcement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had been considering the possibility of skipping the fixture before the matter was taken out of its hands by government intervention. Afridi, who has long maintained that sport and politics should remain separate, expressed disappointment over the situation but said he respects the government’s position.
Sharing his thoughts on social media, Afridi urged the ICC to take decisive and impartial action.
“I’ve always believed cricket can open doors when politics closes them. Regrettably, Pakistan won’t play India at the #T20WorldCup, but I stand behind my government’s decision. This is the moment for ICC to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it is impartial, independent, and fair to every member,” Afridi wrote.
Afridi’s comments have sparked debate, particularly in light of his earlier advocacy for sporting engagement as a means of fostering dialogue between nations. Attention has also returned to a recent controversy during the World Championship of Legends tournament at Edgbaston, involving India Legends and Pakistan Legends.
At that event, India Legends withdrew from their match against Pakistan Legends after former India opener Shikhar Dhawan declined to participate. Afridi had strongly criticised the mixing of politics with sport at the time, warning that such decisions hinder progress.
“Sports bring people closer, but if politics gets involved in everything, how will we move forward? Sometimes, there’s one bad egg that spoils everything for everyone else,” Afridi had said.
The contrast between Afridi’s earlier criticism of political interference and his current support for his government’s decision has not gone unnoticed. Observers have pointed out the apparent contradiction, especially given the global profile of the T20 World Cup and the central role India–Pakistan encounters play in the tournament’s appeal.
