ISLAMABAD: The recent developments surrounding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup2026 have highlighted a rare display of regional solidarity in cricket, asPakistan has decided to boycott its scheduled match against India inprotest against Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament. Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif explicitly stated that Pakistan’s stance was a considereddecision to support Bangladesh, emphasizing that politics should notinterfere in sports. This position drew immediate appreciation fromBangladesh, where Youth and Sports Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul publicly thankedPakistan on social media for standing firm with Dhaka amid the ongoingcontroversy.
The controversy originated when Bangladesh refused to play its matches inIndia, citing security concerns stemming from heightened bilateraltensions. The International Cricket Council subsequently replacedBangladesh with Scotland in the tournament lineup, prompting strongreactions from Dhaka. Pakistan, viewing this as an injustice, announced itwould not participate in the high-profile India match set for February 15in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Sharif described the boycott as anappropriate and principled move during a federal cabinet meeting,underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to solidarity with its neighbor.
Dr Asif Nazrul, in a widely circulated social media post, expressedgratitude by writing “Thank you, Pakistan,” directly referencing PrimeMinister Sharif’s remarks. He highlighted that Pakistan’s decision toboycott the India encounter was explicitly in protest against Bangladesh’sremoval from the T20 World Cup. This gesture has been interpreted as asignificant show of support, reinforcing diplomatic and sporting tiesbetween the two nations at a time when regional cricket dynamics are understrain due to geopolitical factors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intervention came amid growing speculationover Pakistan’s full participation in the tournament, co-hosted by Indiaand Sri Lanka from February to March 2026. In his address, he stressed thatthe government had taken a clear stand against mixing politics with sports,affirming complete backing for Bangladesh. The statement not only justifiedthe boycott but also positioned it as a moral imperative, aiming to preventthe politicization of international cricket events and protect theinterests of affected teams.
The boycott has sparked debates on potential consequences from the ICC,including sanctions or forfeits, yet Pakistan has maintained that itsaction is limited to the specific India fixture while continuing in thetournament otherwise. Analysts note that this selective approachunderscores a symbolic protest rather than outright withdrawal, allowingPakistan to highlight the perceived unfair treatment of Bangladesh withoutfully jeopardizing its campaign. The decision has resonated positively inBangladesh, where it is seen as a rare instance of cross-border unity insports.
Bangladesh’s exclusion followed its refusal to travel to India for matches,linked to broader security apprehensions amplified by recent politicalshifts and incidents such as the removal of Bangladeshi players from IndianPremier League franchises. This backdrop has fueled narratives of unequaltreatment in global cricket governance, with Pakistan’s support amplifyingcalls for fair play and neutrality in tournament scheduling and venuedecisions.
The episode has drawn attention to the evolving nature of South Asiancricket relations, where historical rivalries intersect with emergingalliances. Pakistan’s move has been praised in some quarters forprioritizing principle over high-stakes rivalries, while critics questionits impact on the tournament’s integrity and viewership. Nonetheless, thepublic appreciation from Bangladesh’s official channels signalsstrengthened bilateral goodwill in the sporting arena.
As the T20 World Cup progresses amid these tensions, the focus remains onwhether diplomatic interventions can resolve the impasse or if furtherrepercussions await. Prime Minister Sharif’s endorsement and the subsequentthanks from Bangladesh illustrate how cricket continues to serve as aplatform for expressing solidarity in the face of perceived inequities.
Source:https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/bangladesh-reacts-to-pakistan-pm-shehbaz-sharifs-t20-world-cup-support-amid-ongoing-row-10950821
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