Salman Agha Breaks Silence on Pakistan’s Partial Boycott of India Clash in T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan T20I captain Salman Agha on Sunday addressed the controversy surrounding his country’s decision to boycott the much-anticipated group-stage match against India in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7.
India and Pakistan, placed together in Group A, were scheduled to lock horns on February 15 at Colombo’s iconic R Premadasa Stadium.
However, in a surprising move, the Pakistani government announced that while the team would participate in the tournament, it would not take the field against India during the league stage.
A post from the government’s official X account stated:
“The government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”
Reacting to the development, Agha made it clear that the players had no role in the decision-making process and would strictly follow instructions from authorities.
“We are going to the World Cup. Humara decision nahi hai, hum kuch nahi kar sakte (It is not our decision, so we cannot do anything about it). Whatever our government and the PCB chairman tell us, we will follow that only,” Agha told reporters after the conclusion of the third T20I against Australia.
Pakistan head into the global tournament on a high after registering a dominant 3-0 series whitewash against Australia national cricket team, including two massive victories by margins of over 90 runs over the weekend.
However, the decision to selectively boycott one fixture has drawn strong criticism from the sport’s governing body, the International Cricket Council.
In a sharply worded response, the ICC said it was awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board, but warned that selective participation went against the core principles of international tournaments.
“This position is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms,” the ICC said in its statement.
The governing body further urged Pakistan to reflect on the broader consequences of such a move.
“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country, as this may impact the global cricket ecosystem, of which it is a member and beneficiary.
While the ICC respects the role of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.”
The ICC also reiterated that the successful conduct of the T20 World Cup is a shared responsibility of all member boards and called on the PCB to seek a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.
Interestingly, while the government’s statement specifically mentioned the February 15 group-stage clash, sources said that a potential boycott of a knockout-stage encounter against India later in the tournament was not part of the current plan.
Once again, Agha stressed that the final call rests with the authorities.
“It is not our decision. We have to do what our government and the PCB chairman decide,” he said.
As tensions simmer ahead of one of cricket’s most-watched rivalries, the cricketing world now awaits clarity on whether diplomacy will prevail over politics in the build-up to the global spectacle.
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