Pakistan will not face India in their group stage match at the T20 World Cup on February 15, the Pakistan government said in a social media post on Sunday. However, the government has cleared Pakistan’s participation in the tournament, which begins on February 7.
Under the terms agreed between the two countries in 2024, Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka and not in India.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has given a clear view on the issue. In an exclusive interview with Timesofindia.com, Latif said Pakistan’s stance is a planned move. He said it is aimed at the ICC and not at India. He linked the situation to Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament, changes in regional politics, and the huge money involved in India Pakistan cricket.
“Till now, everything was going well,” Latif said from Islamabad. “Pakistan and India both agreed that we would play in a hybrid model for the next three years.”
He pointed to recent events to explain his view. The Asia Cup was held in Dubai. Pakistan’s women’s team played in Sri Lanka in the Women’s ODI World Cup. “Everything was going well,” he said. “But things have changed since the Bangladesh episode happened.”
Bangladesh had asked to move its matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. The request was rejected. After that, Pakistan raised objections.
At the ICC board meeting, Pakistan voted in favour of Bangladesh’s request. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also spoke about a possible boycott. When Bangladesh later chose not to play in India, Scotland replaced them in the tournament.
“Pakistan is standing with Bangladesh,” Latif said. “It was not like this in the past.”
Latif said Pakistan’s importance to world cricket has not reduced, even though results on the field have not been strong. He said India Pakistan matches remain central to World Cup interest.
“Whether it is in India or Pakistan, 60 to 70 percent of people watch the World Cup because of India Pakistan matches,” he said.
He added that matches involving teams like Australia also draw crowds. But when India and Pakistan play, the scale is far bigger. Viewership rises sharply. Sponsors invest more. Broadcasters build their biggest plans around these games.
If Pakistan do not take the field against India on February 15, they will lose two points. The ICC may also impose sanctions.
Latif said the decision is meant to pressure the ICC. “This decision is not on India,” he said. “It is hitting the ICC directly.”
He said Pakistan is not worried about punishment. “The PCB is not scared of sanctions,” he said. “This will have a big impact.”
Latif mentioned future tournaments to show that the issue may continue. There is a Women’s T20 World Cup in England this year. Pakistan could play India there. India will also host the Champions Trophy in 2028.
“This will not end here,” he said. “Pakistan has taken this step after a lot of thought.”
Latif said the situation changed once Pakistan joined Bangladesh. “If Bangladesh was alone, sanctions could happen,” he said. “Now that Pakistan has joined, it will impact Australia and England financially as well.”
He warned that the effect would spread across the cricket calendar. Asia Cups, ACC events, and ICC tournaments could all be affected. He estimated the India Pakistan cricket economy to be worth around one billion dollars.
“The businessmen are above our governments,” he said. “Now the game has gone out of their hands.”
Latif believes broadcasters will push for a solution. “You know how powerful broadcasters are,” he said. “They will find some solution.”
He referred to past Asia Cup disputes that were settled through quiet talks. He expects similar efforts before the World Cup.
“If not,” he said, “then it is a disaster for world cricket.”
Teams missing matches is not new in World Cups. In 1996, Australia and West Indies did not travel to Sri Lanka. In 2003, England refused to play Zimbabwe, while New Zealand skipped a match in Nairobi against Kenya.
Latif still feels a change is possible. “There is always backdoor diplomacy,” he said.
Pakistan took several days to reach this decision. Latif said the timing is important. The Australia series has ended. Teams are travelling to Colombo. The focus is now on the ICC.
“In 24 hours,” he said, “anything is possible.”
