“Play India but…”- Shahid Afridi reacts to Pakistan’s refusal to face India in T20 World Cup 2026

A day after the Pakistan government announced that their cricket team won’t feature in the clash against India, scheduled to feature on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, their former captain and premier all-rounder, Shahid Afridi, has reacted to the news through his viral post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The former member of the Pakistan 2009 T20 World Cup-winning team challenged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to prove itself as impartial and fair to every member. This stance from the PCB came after the ICC decided to boycott Bangladesh from the event due to their refusal to travel to India.

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“I’ve always believed cricket can open doors when politics closes them. It’s regrettable that Pakistan won’t play India at the #T20WorldCup, but I stand behind my government’s decision. This is the moment for @ICC to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it is impartial, independent, and fair to every member.” Afridi expressed on his viral X post.

Shahid Afridi expresses his view on Pakistan’s refusal to play India in T20 WC 2026

Pakistan is in the same group with India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States of America (USA) as they play the curtain raiser against the Dutch side on February 07 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. In case of forfeiting the India game, they will get a massive penalty in the net run-rate, as a defeat against the other three games could see them getting disqualified. 

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.” The Pakistan government posted its views on X.

The ICC has asked the PCB to change this stance from their government and take a mutually accepted decision which will be in favor of the stakeholders and the broadcasters, as the India vs Pakistan game always holds a lucrative revenue in that department.