BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla on Monday said the International Cricket Council’s warning to Pakistan over its stated decision to skip the T20 World Cup match against India was justified, backing the global body’s emphasis on sporting integrity. His remarks came amid growing uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the high-profile fixture scheduled later this month.
“The ICC has issued a big statement on this subject and highlighted elements of sportsmanship. We completely agree with the ICC,” Shukla told reporters. He added that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would refrain from making further comments until formal discussions are held with the ICC on the matter.
The controversy erupted after the Government of Pakistan’s official X account announced on Sunday that while it had approved the national team’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, it would not take the field against India in the group-stage match scheduled for February 15. The announcement immediately drew attention from cricket’s governing body.
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In a strongly worded statement, the ICC said selective participation is incompatible with the principles of a global sporting event, where all qualified teams are expected to compete according to the tournament schedule. It stressed that ICC tournaments are founded on integrity, fairness, and consistency, warning that opting out of specific matches undermines the spirit and sanctity of international competitions.
While acknowledging the role of governments in national policy decisions, the ICC said Pakistan’s stance was not in the interest of the global game or cricket fans, including millions within Pakistan. The council urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to consider the long-term implications such a move could have on cricket in the country and on the broader international cricket ecosystem.
The ICC reiterated that its priority remains the smooth and successful conduct of the Men’s T20 World Cup and said all member boards share responsibility for that goal. The tournament begins on February 7 and is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the India–Pakistan match scheduled to be played in Colombo on February 15.
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