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Pakistan Will Skip T20 World Cup Match Against India, PM Shehbaz Sharif Says
PM Shehbaz Sharif announces Pakistan will not play India in the T20 World Cup, emphasizing no politics on the field and expressing solidarity with Bangladesh.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-04
Pakistan Will Skip T20 World Cup Match Against India, PM Shehbaz Sharif Says

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced during a federal cabinet meeting that Pakistan will participate in the T20 World Cup but will not play its scheduled match against India. He emphasized that sports should remain free from political influence and that the decision was carefully considered.

“We have taken a thoughtful decision not to play with India in the T20 World Cup. There should be no politics on the playing field,” the Prime Minister said. He added that Pakistan stands in solidarity with Bangladesh amid concerns over perceived bias by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The announcement follows a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, where the decision regarding World Cup participation was finalised. Government sources cited ICC’s decisions regarding Bangladesh as a key factor in the decision.

During the cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister also addressed national security issues, highlighting recent counter-terrorism operations in Balochistan. He praised Pakistani forces for responding to a terrorist attack, which resulted in the deaths of 180 terrorists, while 17 soldiers and 31 civilians were martyred. “The sacrifices of our martyrs will pay off. Terrorism will be ended. The entire nation stands as a leaden wall against terrorism,” he said.

PM Shehbaz Sharif further discussed Pakistan’s diplomatic role in the ongoing tensions in Iran, noting efforts with Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and Iran to resolve the situation peacefully. “We want lasting peace in the region,” he said.

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin shortly, with Pakistan now set to compete in all matches except the one against India on February 15. The Prime Minister reiterated that sports should remain separate from politics and that the decision demonstrates Pakistan’s principled stance and regional solidarity.
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