Former ICC chairman Ehsan Mani said Pakistan cannot face sanctions for following government instructions, speaking this week as uncertainty continues over whether Pakistan will play India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka.
Mani addressed the issue in an interview with Sportstar and drew a firm line between sport and state. “Pakistan should not be punished for following government directions,” he said, placing responsibility outside the dressing room. That argument challenges the ICC to decide how much power it really holds.
Mani also accused the game’s governing body of inconsistency. “The ICC has allowed double standards in the past,” he said, pointing to unresolved precedents. It is a reminder that cricket often bends when politics leans in.
The comments followed a statement from the Government of Pakistan’s official X account. It said the team would travel to Sri Lanka for the tournament but would not play India in their Group A match on February 15 in Colombo. That decision immediately raised the prospect of a points forfeit.
Pakistan share Group A with India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. All of Pakistan’s matches will take place in Sri Lanka, which co-hosts the tournament with India. Skipping the India fixture would cost Pakistan two points without a ball bowled.
The situation traces back to January, when Bangladesh were removed from the tournament after refusing to play in India due to security concerns. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi later raised similar issues, pushing the debate back into ICC territory.
Pakistan are scheduled to open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, before facing the USA and Namibia. The cricket calendar remains intact, even as the politics swirl around it.
The ICC said it has not received formal communication from the PCB. It stressed that selective participation runs against the spirit of a global tournament but acknowledged the role governments play in such decisions. The warning came with a note of caution about long-term consequences.
History supports Mani’s point. Australia and West Indies forfeited points during the 1996 World Cup after refusing to travel to Sri Lanka. England skipped Zimbabwe in 2003, while New Zealand refused to play Kenya, both over security concerns.
