The stage is set for the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup 2026. The marquee tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and ahead of the tournament, there has been major coverage for the upcoming India vs Pakistan clash. The arch-rivals are slated to take on each other on February 15 in Colombo, and ahead of the clash, the Pakistan government came forward and claimed that their cricket team will not take the field against India but will play the remaining matches of the World Cup.
The move to not let Pakistan take on India in the World Cup was widely seen as a protest for Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament after the BCB refused to travel to India for the matches, citing security concerns.
Speaking on the same, India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav took centre stage and gave his first statement on the prospect of facing Pakistan. "Our mindset is very clear. We haven’t said no to playing them (Pak), they are the ones who’ve said no. Our flights are booked, and we are going to Colombo. Our fixtures are ready first USA, then Canada and then we are off to Colombo," Suryakumar Yadav said in the press conference.
Rajeev Shukla gave his take on the same as well
Furthermore, Congress MP and BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla also gave his take on the matter. He opined that the BCCI has nothing to do with the Pakistan government’s decision, and the ICC will be making the final decision.
"BCCI has nothing to say on this. ICC has to decide on this, and whatever ICC says, we will go according to that decision,” Rajeev Shukla told ANI.
It is worth noting that India and Pakistan are placed in the same group in the upcoming T20 World Cup, but due to the Pakistan government’s directive, the Men in Green will not face the Indian team on February 15.
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