Former Pakistan captain and head coach Mohammad Yousaf has backed Pakistan’s decision to boycott India’s T20 World Cup match, calling it a principled stand rather than a political ploy. He claimed the move was aimed at challenging what he sees as India’s selective influence in world cricket.
This was announced by the Pakistani government on Sunday will feature in the T20 World Cup starting February 7 but will miss the group stage clash with India scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. In a recent post on X, Yousaf threw his weight behind the government’s call, calling it a necessary step to counter imbalances in the global game.
“A tough but necessary stance from our government. Principles must come before commercial interests. ‘Selective’ influence in world cricket must end to make the game truly global. We play with pride but we also stand for equality and fairness in sport.”
Why did Pakistan call for boycott?
Yousaf’s support comes amid growing confusion within the cricketing fraternity over Pakistan’s stance. Several former cricketers questioned how far the boycott could spread and whether Pakistan would take the same position if they clashed with India in the knockout stage. The uncertainty has only added to the noise surrounding what is already the most politically sensitive element of the sport.
The boycott decision followed comments by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the country’s interior minister. Naqvi had earlier hinted at pulling out of the tournament in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland after refusing to travel to India due to security concerns. Although independent assessments found no credible threat, the episode appears to have changed Pakistan’s approach.
What did the ICC say about Pakistan’s position?
The ICC has taken a cautious but clear position on this issue. While still awaiting official confirmation from the Pakistan Cricket Board, the governing body has made it known that skipping select matches in the global tournament is not good for the game or its fans. She also warned that such a move could have serious long-term consequences.
India, on the other hand, is sticking to its original plan. According to BCCI sources, the team is scheduled to travel to Colombo, attend training sessions and media duties and then wait for the match referee to decide the fate of the match.
The crux of the matter is cricket’s biggest attraction. India vs. Pakistan remains the sport’s most watched and prized fixture, which is why the ICC has placed the two teams in the same group at every major tournament since 2012. If Pakistan maintain their stance, the 2026 T20 World Cup could become the first ICC men’s tournament since 2010 without an India-Pakistan match, a situation that could prompt the ICC to take strong action.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 2, 2026
