Rajeev Shukla clears the air on Pakistan’s decision to boycott India vs Pakistan match at T20 World Cup: Tensions galore in the 2026 T20 World Cup, as the India vs Pakistan encounter hangs in the balance by a thread. The Pakistan government and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have decided to feature in the major ICC event; however, they will boycott the India vs Pakistan match scheduled on February 15th at the R Premedasa Stadium, Colombo. As per reports, ICC is set to have an emergency meeting in 48 hours.
They will be discussing the ongoing chaos surrounding the India vs Pakistan match. Ahead of that, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla has shared his insights on the situation and said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) board agrees with ICC’s stance on the sportsmanship statement issued regarding Pakistan’s boycott of the India vs Pakistan encounter.
Rajeev Shukla sheds light amid India vs Pakistan row
BCCI vice president and Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, via ANI, “ICC has issued a big statement, they have spoken about sportsmanship. We completely agree with the ICC. BCCI won’t make any comments on it until we speak with the ICC.”
#WATCH | Delhi: On Pakistan to boycott its match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, BCCI vice president and Congress MP Rajeev Shukla says, “ICC has issued a big statement, they have spoken about sportsmanship. We completely agree with the ICC. BCCI won’t make any… pic.twitter.com/qRgwHzgDls
— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2026
These comments by Rajeev Shukla come after the statement released by the Pakistan government said in a post on X that the Pakistan team “shall not take the field” in the match against India.
ICC clears the air on ‘selective matches’ for Pakistan
After this statement of choosing not to participate in its T20 World Cup group stage match against India, the ICC stated that “selective participation” will not be allowed, keeping in mind about the “fundamental premise of a global sporting event” and that it expects the PCB to find a mutual solution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.
The ICC stated in a release that it has taken note of the statement issued by the Government of Pakistan regarding the decision to direct its national squad to selectively participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. It stated, “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.”
When did this India vs Pakistan row start?
The controversies started from the first match of the Asia Cup 2025, when the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during the toss. This was followed till the final of the Asia Cup, and there was more controversy when India refused to take the trophy after winning the competition from the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Mohsin Naqvi.
Pakistan is yet to present an official confirmation to the ICC regarding the announcement made by the Pakistan government. Previously, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was asked about the viral statement; however, he also refused to comment before ICC’s final call on the matter.
Also Read: Jay Shah-led ICC calls emergency meeting to KILL Pakistan cricket forever amid T20 World Cup chaos
