Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday endorsed the federal government’s decision to bar Pakistan from playing India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, saying sports should be kept free of politics.
As anticipation builds for Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, set to begin on 26 March, two major franchises have made high-profile direct signings to strengthen their squads.
Pakistan's spin-heavy squad are in winning form ahead of the T20 World Cup, but a controversial decision to forfeit their marquee clash against India could still trigger another early exit.
Controversy surrounding the upcoming T20 World Cup continues to intensify, from Bangladesh’s refusal to play matches in co-host India to Pakistan’s decision to boycott its fixture against India. Pakistan has yet to officially explain the reasons behind its planned boycott of the India match.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to sell the broadcast and media rights of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 in India, effectively shutting Indian audiences out of this year’s edition of the tournament.
Sialkot Stallionz, the newest franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), have confirmed the signing of former Australia captain Steve Smith for the league’s 11th season, which will run from March 26 to May 3.
Speculation is growing over possible sanctions against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after Pakistan announced it would boycott its T20 World Cup group match against India.
Pakistan have decided not to boycott the T20 World Cup entirely, but will refuse to play their match against India. Although no official announcement has been made, the decision is widely seen as a protest against Bangladesh’s exclusion from the World Cup.
Pakistan’s potential boycott of its high-profile match against India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 could lead to massive financial losses, with experts estimating the impact at over INR 200 crore, according to Cricbuzz.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed concern over Pakistan’s decision to selectively participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, saying such a stance undermines the core principles of global cricket.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha has clarified that the team’s decision to skip its high-profile group-stage match against India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was taken by the government, leaving players with no role in the matter.
The decision by Pakistan to boycott its match against India despite participating in the T20 World Cup has sparked widespread debate, with commentator Harsha Bhogle raising a key question: what would happen if the two arch-rivals meet in the final?