Overview:
He highlighted the fact that India continue to play against Pakistan in the ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has already finalised the travelling schedule of the Men in Green for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The team will depart for Colombo on February 2, ruling out the possibility of boycotting the tournament or the match against India on February 15. “The travel arrangement has already been made for the World Cup, and the squad is expected to leave on February 2,” a source close to the BCB said. The source added that PCB gave its full support to Bangladesh over their security concerns in India, but they cannot go any further and damage their relations with the ICC.
The BCCI, PCB and the ICC have a agreement under which all matches involving India and Pakistan in the ICC events until 2027 will be played at neutral venues.
“Pakistan’s matches are lined up in Sri Lanka, including the final if they qualify for the big game. They have no ground to boycott the World Cup or the match against India,” he added.
The PCB is expected to confirm its participation by Friday. There were speculations that Pakistan could opt out of the World Cup or refuse to compete against India. But the insider dismissed all the reports.
“Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz told PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, to consider all the options but ensure good relations with the ICC and the other members of the board,” he revealed.
He highlighted the fact that India continue to play against Pakistan in the ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.
‘The Indian government has refused to allow the Indian team to play in Pakistan, but there are no restrictions on India playing Pakistan in the Asia Cup and the World Cups at neutral venues. Pakistan can’t justify boycotting the match against India when the government has always urged not to mix politics with sports,” he concluded.