By Admin 
Last Sunday (01 February), it was announced by the Government of Pakistan that their cricket team will participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup (T20 World Cup 2026), but will not take the field for the league match against India on 15 February. The neighboring country surprised everyone with its decision. However, it is worth noting that this foolishness of Pakistan can permanently disable them from hosting ICC events.
According to the ICC schedule, the league match between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup was to be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Preparations for the match were in full swing, but just 6 days before the start of the tournament, the Pakistan government suddenly announced that their team would not play the match against India. Now let us know how this decision of Pakistan can deprive them forever of hosting future ICC events.
How did Pakistan face the threat of being handicapped by ICC events?
At present, no action has been taken by the International Cricket Council on this decision of Pakistan, but such action can be taken by the ICC in this matter that Pakistan may be deprived of hosting ICC events forever.
Pakistan had got the hosting rights of 2025 Champions Trophy, through which Pakistan hosted an ICC event after a long wait of 29 years. Pakistan has already been surrounded by questions regarding whether they should be allowed to host any big event or not. Before the Champions Trophy in 2025, Pakistan had hosted the 1996 World Cup in its country. At the same time, all other countries felt that they were made hosts of ICC tournaments as soon as possible.
Pakistan pulled back after the agreement
It has already been agreed that both the teams will not visit each other’s country in the ICC or any other event held on the soil of India and Pakistan. Both the matches will be played at a neutral venue under the hybrid model. Like in the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan, Team India played its matches in Dubai.
Similarly, in the T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan has to play all its matches in Sri Lanka. All the teams will come to India and play T20 World Cup matches, but Pakistan will play in Sri Lanka on the basis of hybrid model as per the already made agreement. But despite this, Pakistan decided to withdraw from the match against India. Seeing his actions, ICC can ban Pakistan from hosting ICC tournaments forever.
India had boycotted the match against Pakistan outside the ICC event.
It is noteworthy that in the World Championship of Legends in July 2025, the players of India Champions had refused to play against Pakistan Champions. Although this league had nothing to do with the International Cricket Council. But India did not refuse to play against Pakistan in the ICC event.