Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif says India-Pakistan matches make up the bulk of the World Cup audience. (PTI) New Delhi: Pakistan will not play its group stage match against India in the T20 World Cup on February 15, the Pakistan government announced in a social media post on Sunday. However, permission has been granted for the tournament, which starts on February 7. Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, not India as agreed between the two neighbors in 2024.Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif offered a stark assessment in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, saying that Pakistan’s boycott of the clash with India is a deliberate move aimed squarely at the financial and administrative structure of the ICC.
LIVE: Former captain Rashid Latif on Pakistan boycott of India T20 World Cup
Latif links the escalation to Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament, the changing political climate in South Asia and the huge financial stakes associated with India-Pakistan cricket.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!“Everything has gone well so far. Both Pakistan and India have agreed to play in a hybrid model for the next three years. The Asia Cup was held in Dubai. The Pakistan women’s team played in Sri Lanka in the Women’s ODI World Cup. Everything was going well, but things have changed since the Bangladesh episode,” says Latif from Islamabad.
Pakistan players and officials pose for a photo with the trophy after winning the T20 series against Australia at the end of the third T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore, Pakistan. AP/PTI(AP02_01_2026_000664A)
After Bangladesh tried unsuccessfully to move their matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns, Pakistan began protesting the decision. In a show of support for the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Pakistan voted in favor of the request at the ICC board meeting, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi even threatening a boycott. When Bangladesh finally refused to play in India, they were replaced by Scotland.“Pakistan is siding with Bangladesh. It was not like that in the past,” says Latif.
Whether it’s in India or Pakistan, 60-70 percent people watch the World Cup because of the India-Pakistan matches.
Rashid Latif | Former Pakistan captain
Despite Pakistan’s recent struggles on the field, Latif says their importance to global cricket remains undiminished. According to him, the India-Pakistan matches are the engine that drives the viewership of the World Cup.“Whether it’s in India or Pakistan, 60-70 per cent people watch the World Cup because of the India-Pakistan matches,” he says.Latif points out that even matches involving Australia attract packed stadiums, but when it comes to India and Pakistan, the scale is unmatched. Viewership runs into the millions, sponsor valuations soar, and broadcasters plan entire commercial strategies around these matches.
Australia’s Ben Dwarshuis, center, and Matthew Kuhnemann shake hands with Pakistan players at the end of the third T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/KM Chaudary)
If Pakistan do not take the field against India on February 15, they will lose two points and face sanctions from the ICC.Latif claims that Pakistan’s move is not aimed directly at India, but at the ICC itself.“This decision is not India’s. It directly affects the ICC,” he says.
Pakistan generally does not take such decisions. PCB is not afraid of sanctions either. It will have a big impact.
Rashid Latif | Former Pakistan captain
“Pakistan generally doesn’t take such decisions. The PCB is not even afraid of sanctions. It will have a big impact. The Women’s T20 World Cup is being held in England this year and Pakistan could also play India there. Then there is the Champions Trophy in 2028, which is being hosted by India. So it doesn’t end there. It seems that Pakistan has taken this step after much consideration,” he says.Latif dismissed the idea that Pakistan was worried about sanctions. He says if Bangladesh acted alone, punitive measures could follow. In the case of Pakistan, the equation changes dramatically.“Now that Pakistan has joined, it will affect Australia and England financially as well,” he explains.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, second right, celebrates with his teammates after taking the wicket of Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, left, during the third T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/KM Chaudary)
The domino effect would not stop at one tournament. The ACC calendar, future Asia Cups and even ICC events would feel the strain. Latif estimates the India-Pakistan cricket economy as a billion-dollar business across formats and tournaments.“Businessmen are above our governments,” he says bluntly. “Now the game is out of their hands.Latif places significant faith in the power of broadcasters. They believe that they will not allow a prolonged stalemate that threatens their investments.“You know how powerful the broadcasters are. They will find some solution,” he says.
There is always a back door to diplomacy. Everything is possible in 24 hours.
Rashid Latif | Former Pakistan captain
Latif draws parallels with how previous Asia Cup stalemates have been resolved and suggests that similar behind-the-scenes dealings are inevitable for the World Cup. Without compromise, he warns, the consequences could be catastrophic for world cricket.“If not, then it’s a disaster for world cricket,” he adds.Teams choosing not to play matches is not unprecedented in ICC tournaments. In the 1996 World Cup, Australia and the West Indies refused to travel to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. In the 2003 edition, England declined to face Zimbabwe for political reasons, while New Zealand did not travel to Nairobi for their group game against Kenya.
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However, Latif does not rule out a reversal of position. “There’s always backdoor diplomacy,” he says.As it took Pakistan almost a week to reach this position, Latif believes the timing was carefully calculated. The Australia series has just finished, both teams are about to travel to Colombo and the focus is on the ICC.“Anything is possible in 24 hours,” he concludes.
