Former Indian captain and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday expressed surprise over Pakistan’s decision to boycott the T20 World Cup group match against India, saying, “I don’t know why Pakistan will not play India in a World Cup match. This is the first time I have heard that Pakistan will not play India in a World Cup,” even as security is in place at the ICC Men’s Twenty20.
The tournament begins in Colombo on Wednesday, while the Eden Gardens will host the first match in India, where Scotland take on the West Indies. Security has been beefed up at the iconic Kolkata venue, with the city’s police commissioner personally visiting the stadium to review the arrangements. Officials from the Cricket Association of Bengal, the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the International Cricket Council are working closely together to ensure the smooth and safe running of the tournament.
Ganguly, who backed the hosts, said India were among the favorites to lift the trophy, adding, “It’s the World Cup at home. India’s chance at home is clear.” He also expressed disappointment over Bangladesh’s absence from the tournament and said the team should have played in the World Cup.
Pakistan has announced a boycott of the clash with India
Pakistan officially announced on Sunday that while his national team has been cleared to participate in the ICC Men’s Under-20 World Cup, it will not take the field in the group league clash against India scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
The decision followed days of speculation about Pakistan’s participation after Bangladesh pulled out of the tournament citing security concerns. The Pakistani government said the boycott was a sign of protest after the ICC replaced Bangladesh by Scotland and rejected requests to move matches from India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had earlier said that the final call for participation would be made by the government after Bangladesh’s expulsion.
ICC warns against selective participation
The The ICC reacted strongly to Pakistan’s stancewarning that selective participation is incompatible with the basic principles of a global sporting event. In a strongly worded statement, the world body said all qualified teams are expected to compete on a common schedule.
The ICC stressed that its tournaments are based on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and warned that any deviation from full participation would undermine the spirit and sanctity of its competitions.
Financial stakes and wider impact
The India–Pakistan match at the ICC event is generally considered to be the biggest revenue earner in world cricket, with estimates suggesting it could reach close to US$250 million. The absence of a high-voltage fixture is expected to result in heavy financial losses for broadcasters, sponsors and host boards.
Given the strength of the rivalry, the ICC has traditionally placed India and Pakistan in the same group at global events, making the boycott a significant blow to the tournament’s commercial prospects.
Sri Lanka urges Pakistan to reconsider
Co-host Sri Lanka Cricket has reportedly urged Pakistan to reconsider its decision. In the letter, PCB SLC warned of an adverse impact on tourism, including cancellation of hotel bookings, flight bookings and logistical arrangements.
The SLC Executive Committee discussed the matter at length before sending the letter and warned that the fallout could affect many stakeholders associated with the FIFA World Cup.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 6, 2026
