Pakistan has refused to play India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup after formally writing to the ICC, according to reports on the Indian website Cricbuzz. The decision relates to the scheduled league match between the two rivals on February 15.
Reports say the PCB has officially communicated its position to the ICC, outlining the reasons behind its refusal. The move follows clear directives issued by the Government of Pakistan.
According to an Indian website, the ICC sought clarification from the PCB regarding the applicability of the Force Majeure clause in the tournament’s Terms of Participation. The governing body reportedly asked what steps Pakistan had taken to mitigate its claim.
Sources familiar with the matter said Islamabad had cleared the national team’s participation in the T20 World Cup. However, the government explicitly barred the team from competing against India in the league stage.
Government directive shapes PCB decision
Officials in Islamabad allowed Pakistan to take part in the global tournament but instructed the team to avoid the high-profile group match against India. As a result, the PCB conveyed this position to the ICC through formal correspondence.
The development has added another layer of complexity to Pakistan–India cricket ties, which have remained strained for more than a decade. The two sides now meet only during multinational tournaments.
The situation has drawn comparisons to earlier cases involving security and political concerns. Bangladesh previously refused to play in India, citing safety issues as bilateral relations deteriorated.
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As a result, Bangladesh were removed from Group C by the ICC and replaced by Scotland. Pakistan later backed Bangladesh’s request to shift its matches to Sri Lanka.
Despite the controversy, Pakistan remains scheduled to face Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States in the group stage. Officials have not indicated whether the refusal to play India will affect Pakistan’s overall participation.
Meanwhile, cricket authorities continue discussions behind closed doors to assess the implications of the PCB’s stance under tournament rules.
