&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "'Strong stance should be taken against Pakistan': Former BCCI president on IND vs PAK T20 World Cup match")
Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president and BJP MP Anurag Thakur has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take strict action against Pakistan for refusing to play against India in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan has clearly stated that it will not play against India and despite this statement, the Indian team will follow the tournament as per the schedule. The final decision on the match will be taken by the match referee.
What Anurag Thakur said about Pakistan’s boycott
Speaking on the issue, the former sports minister said that India has always been a strong and reliable host for international cricket events and has also made major contributions to global cricket community, both by developing the game and by supporting it financially.
“The ICC should take a strong stance against them. India has provided excellent facilities in all the tournaments it has hosted,” Thakur said.
“India makes a significant contribution to the global cricket community, both financially and in terms of the sport itself,” he added.
He further pointed out that the ICC should act firmly and not allow politics to affect the sport. According to him, if a team refuses to play due to a political reasons, then the ICC should step in and take action.
Trending Stories
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 uses solid rocket fuel instead of liquid fuel
)
CORTIS' first-ever concert sparks backlash over repeated songs and short setlist
)
Explained: Why Rodri won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball over Lionel Messi
)
Japan is selling a refrigerator to cool the human body for Rs 9 lakh. It is already a hit in Tokyo
)
Revealed! The hidden ritual Marc Cucurella performed before Spain won the FIFA World Cup
)
Mumbai court gives life sentences to 44 Somali pirates despite mercy plea
)
US-Iran conflicts: Houthis announce maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, Iran attacks MQ-9 drone hangar | Gravitas
)
‘Iran can survive sanctions, but can’t truly live’: Dy FM warns of economic cost of war
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
‘Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form in US’: Trump’s counter to Mamdani
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
'Could be bombed at any moment': What Iran's Araghchi told Trump envoy Witkoff during negotiations
)
Jail over Khamenei post: J&K youth returns home after 3 months in Saudi custody
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
US-Iran war: Report suggests US lost 42 aircraft, including fighter jets, reaper drones
)
JD and Usha Vance welcome fourth child: Who serves as acting US vice president during Vance's paternity leave?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Spain World Cup victory parade in Madrid: Champions celebrate second FIFA World Cup title with over million fans
)
Heavy sanctions loom over Argentine players after ugly brawl following final whistle in World Cup final
)
As Russia pounds Ukraine, Kyiv grapples with a growing manpower shortage in the military | Gravitas
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
)
Tulsi Gabbard's brother Batarti accused of luring children to hotel room in Hawaii
)
Argentina's racism problem: How football chants reflect a deeper historical legacy
)
US strikes Iran, sirens heard in Kuwait, one American soldier killed in Iraq: What's happening in West Asia
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
“If someone doesn’t want to come to India, making excuses and playing politics, then a strong stance should be taken against them,” Thakur said.
“Their grants should be stopped, and they should be banned for a few years so that they cannot play against any other country,” he added.
Why is Pakistan refusing to play against India?
Pakistan’s government released an official statementon the social media confirming that their team would take part in the T20 World Cup 2026 but would not play against India in their group match in Colombo. The decision comes after the Bangladesh being removed from the World Cup and replaced by Scotland, after they refused to travel to India for their tournament matches.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also supported the boycott against India, calling it a very appropriate decision and added that the Pakistan wanted to stand firmly with Bangladesh and emphasised that politics should not be mixed with sports.
“We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won’t play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field,” Sharif stated after a government meeting.
“We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision. We are with Bangladesh,” he added.
The T20 World Cup will begin on Saturday (Feb 7) and one of the biggest rivalries, India vs Pakistan is set for Feb 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Under an agreement with the BCCI and the ICC, Pakistan is scheduled to play all its matches in Sri Lanka.
