“Hum Kuch Nahi Kar Sakte”, says Pakistan Captain Salman Agha after India match boycott claims

Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Agha on Sunday replied to his country’s intention to boycott India in the group stages of the impending T20 World Cup 2026, commencing February 7.

Slotted in group A, India and Pakistan were slated to battle at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15. On Sunday, the Pakistani authorities said that although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will take part in the competition, they will not play India in the league stage.

The controversy began on Sunday when Pakistan's authorities declared that although the national team is permitted to compete in the T20 World Cup 2026, they have been told not to play in the group-stage match against bitter rivals India, which is set for February 15 in Colombo.

“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,” a post of the government’s X account read.

The decision has sparked harsh comments from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has warned the PCB of consequences. Political leaders from many nations and former cricket players have also spoken about the problem.

Following Pakistan's 3-0 T20I series victory over Australia, Agha stated that the players were not involved in the decision-making process and would follow orders from the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government.

“We are going to the World Cup. Humara decision nahi hai, hum kuch nahi kar sakte. (The decision not to play against India isn’t ours, so we cannot do anything about it.) Whatever our government, the PCB chief tells us to do, we will do that only,” Agha told reporters after the conclusion of the third T20I against Australia on Sunday.

Forfeiting the India match might have major qualifying ramifications because Pakistan is in a difficult group with Namibia, the USA, the Netherlands, and India. Pakistan's World Cup preparations are in jeopardy as the ICC considers its next course of action.

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