Pakistan boycott India match LIVE: 'Slap on face' of Indian Sports Minister, BCCI, says MP Priyanka Chaturvedi

The ICC has issued a statement on Pakistan's decision to boycott India matches.

“While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” it 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,” it added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described Pakistan’s decision as a “slap on the face of the Sports Minister of India.” She said that the BCCI had been repeatedly urged to cancel matches with Pakistan earlier. But, those calls were ignored in the name of commitments.

Chaturvedi added that excuses were made to continue playing Pakistan despite unresolved issues. She pointed out that the PCB had chosen to boycott the match against India and appeared ready to accept the consequences.

According to her, Pakistan is willing to pay penalties and fines and face action from international sporting bodies, the same consequences that India’s Sports Minister had earlier warned about.

"It is a slap on the face of the Sports Minister of India and the BCCI. Despite being the strongest, richest body in the ICC, they are being boycotted today. India couldn't take a stance when it should have. I am sure that, for penalty, fine they will have to taken an IMF loan or the World Bank loan. But, they have taken stance. India was found wanting," she said.

Veteran cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle has raised a few questions about Pakistan's decision of not playing against India at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

“It will be very interesting to see the response of the ICC if Pakistan go to the World Cup but don't play India. I don't know the legal position, or how the precedence could play out, but I won't be surprised if the ICC asks that the broadcaster's loss be deducted from Pakistan's share of ICC revenues. And, by the way, what if it is an India-Pakistan final?” he asked.

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousaf, who is often on the news for his controversial statements on India, has backed the Pakistan government's move.

“A tough but necessary stand by our Government. Principles must come before commercial interests. The ‘selective’ influence in world cricket needs to end for the game to truly be global. We play with pride, but we also stand for equality and justice in sports,” he wrote on social media.

The official statement came from the Government of Pakistan, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. On its official Twitter (now X) account, it wrote:

“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.”