Pakistan Boycotts India Match, Politicises T20 World Cup

• By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
• Feb 01, 2026
• 521

Pakistan’s decision to boycott its group-stage encounter against India at the T20 World Cup marks a deliberate departure from sporting neutrality, underscoring the deepening politicisation of international cricket, according to senior government sources.
Sources indicate that Islamabad is particularly uncomfortable with the optics and pressure surrounding a high-profile clash against India and had earlier contemplated withdrawing from the tournament altogether under the pretext of “solidarity” with Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s refusal to play its fixtures in India eventually led to its replacement by Scotland. Pakistan, while stopping short of a full withdrawal, opted for a selective boycott—skipping the India match while remaining in the tournament.
The timing of the decision is significant. It follows closely on the heels of Pakistan’s unsubstantiated allegations against India over the Balochistan attacks—claims that New Delhi has dismissed as reckless and devoid of evidence.
According to the sources, Pakistan’s civilian leadership is navigating intense domestic pressure from hardline constituencies that increasingly regard cricket as an instrument of foreign policy rather than a sporting contest. The boycott, they argue, is less an act of principle than a calibrated political manoeuvre.
By sacrificing a single match, Islamabad seeks to appease domestic political sentiment while safeguarding the financial interests and international standing of Pakistan cricket. The move, sources say, is designed to manage optics rather than uphold sporting values.
The decision is also viewed as a diplomatic signal to Dhaka, at a time when Pakistan is attempting to recalibrate its relationship with Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024—an episode that coincided with a marked rise in anti-India sentiment within Bangladesh.