Former cricketer Madan Lal feels that Pakistan’s controversial decision to boycott their 2026 T20 World Cup group stage match against India will backfire and have dire consequences. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement on Sunday, February 1, declaring their participation in the tournament, except for the match against their arch-rivals.
India and Pakistan, drawn together in Group A of the competition, have been scheduled to face each other on February 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. However, should the Salman Ali Agha-led side opt to boycott the match, they will lose the points.
Following PCB’s statement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) have urged the governing body to reconsider their stance to avoid some potentially serious ramifications. The two arch-rivals had faced each other thrice in the 2025 Asia Cup amid a politically charged atmosphere, which ended on a sour note as well.
Madan Lal believes that Pakistan are harming their cause with such a radical decision and predicts suffering for them.
“I think the Pakistan government or PCB, they are all damaging their own cricket. It’s not going to solve their problems. Someone has to be there to think right. They are not thinking right at the moment. They want to support Bangladesh. You keep on supporting Bangladesh. That’s not our business. At the end of the day, Bangladesh is going to suffer, and Pakistan is going to suffer… The main thing is New Zealand, England, South Africa, Australia, they are the biggest countries for cricket, they’re going to get the crowds, they’re going to get all the sponsorship,” Madan Lal told ANI.
The ICC officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the tournament after they refused to change their stance about traveling to India to participate.
“This decision is not in the interest of the global game” – ICC on Pakistan’s decision to boycott T20 World Cup 2026 match against India
The International Cricket Council (ICC) hopes to reach a ‘mutually acceptable resolution’ following Pakistan’s controversial declaration. Should the nation persist with their bold call, there could be financial penalties and a potential suspension on the horizon.
“While the ICC respects the roles 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,” ICC’s statement read.
“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of,” the statement continued.
As things stand, Pakistan are scheduled to kick-start the T20 World Cup on February 7 with a group stage clash against the Netherlands. India, on the other hand, will play against the USA in Mumbai, later on the same day.
Edited by Gokul Nair
