Pakistan has decided not to play against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup on 15 February. On Sunday, the Pakistan government announced that its team will not play against India in the T20 World Cup on February 15. They will boycott this match. Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali had a special conversation with ABP Live regarding this matter.

‘Jai Shah did not fulfill the promise, wrong happened with Bangladesh, Pakistan will not take a U-turn on the decision‘

Why did Pakistan refuse to play the match against India?? Basit Ali said in an interview given to ABP about this, “In South Asia, i.e. India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, what the government says here, happens. The government’s decision is final. Being a cricketer we have to accept the government’s decision. It was started by India. In 2025, when the Champions Trophy was in Pakistan, India had refused to come to Pakistan, whereas in the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan team had gone to India. Then Jai Shah Sahab was in BCCI and then he had said that you come to the World Cup and we will come to the Champions Trophy. Then Jay Shah became the head of ICC from BCCI and he did not fulfill his promise. Then the Champions Trophy was played in the hybrid model.“

he adds, “There was a war, immediately after the war the Asia Cup took place. Both the countries played in the Asia Cup because the broadcaster’s money was invested in it. That also happened. But someone please tell why Team India did not take the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. The trophy was to be given to the head of the Asian Cricket Council only. What would have happened if Australia won the ODI World Cup in 2023 if he had refused to accept the trophy from the Prime Minister?? The Indian team did not take the trophy there because it was the government’s decision. Then no one refused anything. Now when Pakistan government felt that something wrong happened with Bangladesh, then we will not play with India. And one thing people are saying that Pakistan will take a U-turn, but let me tell you that now Pakistan will not take a U-turn on its decision.“

For this reason Pakistan played India in the Under-19 World Cup

On Sunday, the Pakistan government decided not to play the match with India, whereas on Sunday itself the match between India and Pakistan took place in the 2026 Under-19 World Cup. Then why did Pakistan play India in this ICC tournament?? Regarding this, Basit Ali said, the match had started earlier. This decision was taken in the evening. The Pakistan government has taken the decision at around seven in the evening. If the government had taken the decision first, then Pakistan team would not have played India even in the Under-19 World Cup. Then this question does not arise.

Even if India wins the final, Pakistan will not play – Basit Ali

Basit Ali says in the interview, “I do not think that now Pakistan will play any match against India, be it the match on 15th February or the final of the T20 World Cup. First clap with both hands. Right now the ICC is clapping with one hand, because most of the revenue from broadcasters goes to India. BCCI earns the most, that is why ICC is giving more honor to India. ICC approves all the decisions of BCCI, but if Bangladesh says something, ICC refuses. ICC is not treating everyone equally.“

Will there never be a cricket match between India and Pakistan again??

Regarding this question Basit Ali said, “Now ICC will make new rules. Currently the rule is that if the government refuses then the team will not play, but now a new rule will be made. I am quite surprised that all the boards are greedy for money. Where will you take so much money? All the boards there are. Truth is not told. The biggest thing is that broadcasters will face the most trouble, because by 2031 MOU The sign is for India-Pakistan match. There are also matches for the women’s team. Pakistan will not play there also. Now there won’t even be an Asia Cup. Now ICC’s eyes will be opened. Pakistan is not a small country. The Government of Pakistan has taken this good decision. We are all in support of this decision.“

After Kolkata, South Africa also defeated Team India in Guwahati. In the second Test played in Guwahati, South Africa won by a record margin of 408 runs. After 25 years, South Africa won the Test series in India. After India’s biggest defeat in the history of Test cricket, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali had a special conversation with ABP Live. In an interview given to ABP, Basit Ali said that the selection committee should be removed before Gautam Gambhir. He also said that PM Modi should call Virat Kohli.

Basit Ali explained in detail the reason for India’s defeat

In the interview, when Basit Ali was asked what was the biggest reason for India’s defeat against South Africa, he replied, “Your players are thinking more about white ball cricket. The role of money has become more important. You came to England by leveling the series, that was not your achievement, it was their mistake. Their pitches were not good. They made ODI style pitches. They were playing fast cricket, half of your partridges were getting out half of the quails, (I am talking about spinners).”

He further said, “Why has your playing style changed? Wasn’t India able to play the spinners earlier? Didn’t Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, etc., play the spinners well? When Laxman made that partnership with Dravid against Australia, was there no ball breaking there? Actually, India’s coach wants the test to be decided in his favor in two and a half days. But when a pitch of two and a half days is made, then the role of the toss. And the role of the toss should not come. If you love hitting two fours and one six, then India will be like you, if you play against Sri Lanka then you will lose.

PM Modi should call Virat Kohli and tell him that the country needs you – Basit Ali

Basit Ali said in the interview, if there is talk of removing Gautam Gambhir, then the selection committee should be removed before that. If the selection committee steps down and Gautam Gambhir steps down, then those players who are playing Test cricket in the style of IPL should also step down. They should also be given leave. How the selectors are bringing players into the team through parachute. Nitish Reddy’s name was not there in 15, but he comes and Devdutt Padikkal does not play. Why not Karun Nair? Why is there no Sarfaraz Khan? Whereas he is a good player in test match. These are questions to which many people will have answers and many people will not. In fact, England changed its style and now the world is following it. Test cricket will have to be played like Test cricket.

Basil Ali further says, “You see, sometimes Washington Sundar is playing at number three, sometimes at eight, sometimes at four and sometimes at seven. My request is. India is such a big country. PM Modi sir, make a telephone call to Virat Kohli and tell him that you have taken early retirement. The country needs you. You take back your retirement. This is the only solution.”

Your players do not love cricket, they love money – Basit Ali

Basit Ali says in the interview, “Batsmen are failing because there is more money in IPL. There has been a loss of money in this series. In the white wash that has happened with New Zealand and South Africa, there has been a loss of money. Other teams won by playing cricket, their plan was successful. The stomachs of your players are full of money. They no longer love cricket, they only love money. The biggest proof of this is the way Nitish Reddy Played a reverse sweep shot. Today, in a country where Sachin Tendulkar plays at number four, you should think about playing at number four.