Former Pakistan Cricketer Kamran Akmal Backs Government's India Boycott Decision
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially responded to the Government of Pakistan's directive instructing the national cricket team to abstain from playing against India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. This high-stakes match is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15, 2026, but now faces significant uncertainty due to political tensions.
Pakistan Government's Firm Stance and ICC's Warning
Despite confirming Pakistan's participation in the global tournament, the Pakistani government has specifically mandated that the national team boycott the crucial clash against arch-rivals India. This decision has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, prompting the ICC to issue a stern warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The world governing body cautioned about potential long-term implications if Pakistan maintains its boycott stance for this high-profile encounter.
Kamran Akmal's Scathing Criticism of ICC
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has emerged as a vocal supporter of his government's position, launching a blistering attack on the ICC during an interview with YouTube channel 'Game Plan'. Akmal questioned the global body's consistency and fairness in handling cricketing matters between India and Pakistan.
"PCB should not back down!" declared Akmal emphatically. "The ICC has told the Pakistan Cricket Board to reconsider its stance of boycotting the India game. Was ICC sleeping when the Asia Cup happened in the hybrid model? Was ICC sleeping when India said it would not play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and only play on a neutral venue?"
Akmal further highlighted the historical context, pointing out that "How many times has Pakistan played in India, despite the heightened tensions between the two countries. I have gone myself. The ICC should have thought of these things three years back!"
Historical Precedents and Diplomatic Dimensions
The former cricketer specifically referenced India's refusal to play in Pakistan during both the 2023 Asia Cup and the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Instead, India played all their matches in Dubai during these tournaments. This situation follows an agreement signed between PCB and BCCI last year, committing to play matches across genders on neutral venues until 2027 in all ICC and Asian Cricket Council events.
Akmal emphasized that cricketing issues between India and Pakistan have transcended sports, becoming deeply intertwined with diplomatic relations. The two nations haven't played any bilateral series since 2012, citing security concerns. Akmal questioned this prolonged hiatus, asking "The two countries have not played bilateral series for years now. Wasn't that also politics? Shouldn't the ICC have thought of ending the politics then?"
Asia Cup Incidents and Respect for Decisions
Recalling specific incidents from the Asia Cup, Akmal stressed that Pakistan's current decision deserves the same respect that PCB showed when agreeing to the hybrid model for previous tournaments. "The PCB's decision should be respected just as we respected India's decision to play in hybrid model," he stated. "Things had gotten to such extreme levels. At the Asia Cup, they refused to shake hands with our players, then refused to accept the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi. They had disrespected us!"
Root Causes of the Current Boycott
The current controversy traces its origins to last month's unceremonious removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League. Following this incident, Bangladesh refused to participate in T20 World Cup 2026 matches on Indian soil, leading to their replacement by Scotland in the mega event.
In solidarity with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi accused the ICC of practicing "double standards" and declared that Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2026 participation would depend on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's decision. The government subsequently announced that while Pakistan would participate in the tournament, they would specifically boycott the India match.
Current Status and Potential Consequences
According to recent reports, PCB has yet to formally communicate their boycott decision to the ICC in writing. Instead, the board has reportedly reached out to other cricketing nations seeking support for their stance against playing India. However, this diplomatic effort has yielded limited backing from other countries.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) maintains it has no direct involvement in this matter, a Pakistani withdrawal from the India match would automatically grant India two points in the Group A encounter. This development adds another layer of complexity to an already tense situation that continues to evolve as the tournament approaches.
