- By Gurmeet Batra
- Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:08 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pakistan T20 World Cup Controversy: Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to impose severe punishments on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for boycotting India's T20 World Cup 2026 match.
Despite obtaining government approval to play in the marquee tournament, Pakistan's national team has been instructed not to play against India on February 15.
In a statement posted on social media, the government of Pakistan stated that it has given approval to the Pakistan cricket team to take part in the tournament but said the team "shall not take the field" for the February 15 fixture against India in Colombo.
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"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," the government posted on social media.
With Pakistan's defiance potentially setting a disturbing precedent, Gavaskar highlighted the need for the governing body to assert its authority.
“Definitely, I think if you withdraw at the last moment, that is an issue. If you withdraw earlier on, that’s another matter altogether. But if you withdraw at the last moment, on the eve of the tournament, then yes, I think certainly the ICC should come in and take some action. I don’t know what action they will take, but I think there are so many other boards involved, so it’s not just going to be one person’s decision. However, it should be something that ensures no other team in the future also considers doing that,” Gavaskar told India Today.
ICC Warns PCB Of "Serious Implications"
ICC has cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that its reported stance on "selective participation" in the Men's T20 World Cup could trigger severe repercussions for the PCB.
"While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms," the world body said in a strongly worded statement.
The ICC highlighted that its events are constructed on principles of sporting integrity and that partial participation would compromise the very fabric of the tournament.
"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," the statement read.