Try banning Pakistan: Ex-Pak cricketer challenges ICC over India match boycott
T20 World Cup 2026: Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali criticised the International Cricket Council, daring it to take punitive action against Pakistan if the team forfeits its match against India on February 15. Ali argued that the Pakistan Cricket Board, acting on government directives, cannot be penalised by the global cricket body.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has challenged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to penalise Pakistan following its decision to boycott the T20 World Cup fixture against India, arguing that such calls are misplaced given that government instructions have historically shaped decisions taken by cricket boards.
Basit’s sharp reaction comes amid reports that the ICC is considering severe sanctions against Pakistan should it go ahead with the boycott of the high-profile match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The ICC board is expected to meet later this week to discuss Pakistan’s threat and determine its course of action.
Pakistan had agreed to play all their matches in Sri Lanka — including the fixture against India — under a hybrid model worked out between the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, the Pakistan government announced on Sunday that the senior men’s team would not take the field against India in Colombo.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Game Plan, Basit accused India of setting precedents that Pakistan is now being criticised for following.
“India started this behaviour. Shaking hands is not mandatory. I’m not even going to talk about the decision of the Indian players not to shake hands with the Pakistan players. But the Indians refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi. They refused because the Indian government refused,” Basit said.
Questioning the outrage around Pakistan’s stance, he added: “Now when we are boycotting a game because our government has asked us to, are we suddenly the bad guys? If India can do it, Pakistan can too!”
WHY DIDN'T ICC PUNISH PAST BOYCOTTERS?
Basit also cited past World Cup precedents to underline his argument that forfeiting matches has not resulted in punitive action beyond the loss of points.
“West Indies and Australia forfeited their games in the World Cup of 1996. Besides the teams losing two points, was there any other penalty levied on them? England and New Zealand forfeited games in the World Cup of 2003. Did they face any additional penalties? And there is conversation that Pakistan cricket team will be banned. Karke dekhlo! (Try doing it!)”
He further questioned the ICC’s demand for formal communication from the PCB, suggesting that similar documentation had not been required of India in the past.
“Now ICC has requested PCB to try and reconsider this decision or formally communicate their intent. At the Champions Trophy, had the BCCI conveyed by a letter to the ICC that they would not play in Pakistan? I challenge everyone in ICC to show me the letter from BCCI. How can PCB ignore the Pakistan government’s decision? Only the Pakistan government can decide whether the Pakistan cricket team will play against India on February 15 or not!”
Under ICC tournament regulations, both teams must be present on the field at the scheduled time for the toss to avoid a walkover. According to sources, India are expected to turn up in Colombo, with captain Suryakumar Yadav attending the toss. If Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha does not appear, the match referee will award two points to India, though further disciplinary action remains uncertain.
WHY PAK WANTS TO BOYCOTT INDIA?
While neither the Pakistan government nor the PCB has publicly explained the specific reason behind the boycott announcement, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had said last month that Pakistan was considering pulling out of the T20 World Cup — either entirely or partially — in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland.
Pakistan has argued that Bangladesh’s request to relocate their matches should not have been rejected, alleging favouritism by the ICC in the decision-making process.
The ICC, meanwhile, has warned the PCB about the wider consequences of selective participation. In a statement, the global body said: “The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country, as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of.”
While acknowledging the role of governments in shaping national policy, the ICC added that the boycott was not in the best interests of the global game or fans worldwide.
Former ICC chairman Ehsan Mani also weighed in, criticising what he described as inconsistency in the ICC’s approach.
“There can't be any sanctions against Pakistan if it follows government instructions. That was the basis on which India refused to play its 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. You can't have double standards. Instead of dealing with the problem, the ICC has just stood there as a bystander.”
The financial stakes surrounding the fixture are significant. A walkover in India’s favour could reportedly result in the host broadcaster losing up to ?250 crore in advertising revenue. The India–Pakistan clash remains the most commercially valuable fixture in world cricket, routinely drawing peak global audiences and driving major sponsorship commitments during ICC tournaments.
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Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has challenged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to penalise Pakistan following its decision to boycott the T20 World Cup fixture against India, arguing that such calls are misplaced given that government instructions have historically shaped decisions taken by cricket boards.
Basit’s sharp reaction comes amid reports that the ICC is considering severe sanctions against Pakistan should it go ahead with the boycott of the high-profile match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The ICC board is expected to meet later this week to discuss Pakistan’s threat and determine its course of action.
Pakistan had agreed to play all their matches in Sri Lanka — including the fixture against India — under a hybrid model worked out between the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, the Pakistan government announced on Sunday that the senior men’s team would not take the field against India in Colombo.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Game Plan, Basit accused India of setting precedents that Pakistan is now being criticised for following.
“India started this behaviour. Shaking hands is not mandatory. I’m not even going to talk about the decision of the Indian players not to shake hands with the Pakistan players. But the Indians refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi. They refused because the Indian government refused,” Basit said.
Questioning the outrage around Pakistan’s stance, he added: “Now when we are boycotting a game because our government has asked us to, are we suddenly the bad guys? If India can do it, Pakistan can too!”
WHY DIDN'T ICC PUNISH PAST BOYCOTTERS?
Basit also cited past World Cup precedents to underline his argument that forfeiting matches has not resulted in punitive action beyond the loss of points.
“West Indies and Australia forfeited their games in the World Cup of 1996. Besides the teams losing two points, was there any other penalty levied on them? England and New Zealand forfeited games in the World Cup of 2003. Did they face any additional penalties? And there is conversation that Pakistan cricket team will be banned. Karke dekhlo! (Try doing it!)”
He further questioned the ICC’s demand for formal communication from the PCB, suggesting that similar documentation had not been required of India in the past.
“Now ICC has requested PCB to try and reconsider this decision or formally communicate their intent. At the Champions Trophy, had the BCCI conveyed by a letter to the ICC that they would not play in Pakistan? I challenge everyone in ICC to show me the letter from BCCI. How can PCB ignore the Pakistan government’s decision? Only the Pakistan government can decide whether the Pakistan cricket team will play against India on February 15 or not!”
Under ICC tournament regulations, both teams must be present on the field at the scheduled time for the toss to avoid a walkover. According to sources, India are expected to turn up in Colombo, with captain Suryakumar Yadav attending the toss. If Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha does not appear, the match referee will award two points to India, though further disciplinary action remains uncertain.
WHY PAK WANTS TO BOYCOTT INDIA?
While neither the Pakistan government nor the PCB has publicly explained the specific reason behind the boycott announcement, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had said last month that Pakistan was considering pulling out of the T20 World Cup — either entirely or partially — in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland.
Pakistan has argued that Bangladesh’s request to relocate their matches should not have been rejected, alleging favouritism by the ICC in the decision-making process.
The ICC, meanwhile, has warned the PCB about the wider consequences of selective participation. In a statement, the global body said: “The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country, as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of.”
While acknowledging the role of governments in shaping national policy, the ICC added that the boycott was not in the best interests of the global game or fans worldwide.
Former ICC chairman Ehsan Mani also weighed in, criticising what he described as inconsistency in the ICC’s approach.
“There can't be any sanctions against Pakistan if it follows government instructions. That was the basis on which India refused to play its 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. You can't have double standards. Instead of dealing with the problem, the ICC has just stood there as a bystander.”
The financial stakes surrounding the fixture are significant. A walkover in India’s favour could reportedly result in the host broadcaster losing up to ?250 crore in advertising revenue. The India–Pakistan clash remains the most commercially valuable fixture in world cricket, routinely drawing peak global audiences and driving major sponsorship commitments during ICC tournaments.
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