Amidst heightened political tensions and speculation surrounding Pakistan's participation in the T20 World Cup 2026, BJP MP Anurag Thakur has asserted that Pakistan's cricket team is deliberately avoiding a match against India due to fear of another defeat. The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, has been under scrutiny, with the Pakistani government approving the team's participation with a caveat: they will not play against India on February 15, 2026.

Thakur, speaking to CNN-News18, suggested that Pakistan's decision stems from their desire to evade another loss against the Indian side. This statement adds fuel to the fire of the already intense rivalry between the two nations in the realm of cricket.

The Pakistani government addressed the situation via a post on X, stating their approval for the team to travel to Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup 2026. However, the post also clearly stated that the team would not participate in the match scheduled against India, without providing a specific reason.

India's stance on playing cricket with Pakistan has been a topic of discussion for years. In September 2025, amid criticisms surrounding India's participation in the Asia Cup 2025 match against Pakistan, Thakur defended the BCCI, explaining that participation in multinational tournaments organized by the ACC or ICC is a "compulsion" to avoid elimination. He further clarified that India's long-standing decision has been to abstain from bilateral tournaments with Pakistan until they cease terrorist activities against India.

The history between the two countries in cricket is filled with political undertones. For instance, in 2022, Thakur, who was then the Sports Minister, expected Pakistan to participate in the World Cup in India, despite acknowledging the slim chances of India playing in Pakistan. He emphasized that all qualified teams are generally invited to compete on Indian soil and that India cannot be threatened in such matters.

Earlier, in 2016, Thakur, then the BCCI secretary, accused the Himachal Pradesh government of "playing politics" concerning security for the India-Pakistan World Twenty20 match. This highlights the recurring challenges and controversies surrounding cricket matches between India and Pakistan.

The decision by Pakistan to avoid playing India in the T20 World Cup 2026 match has sparked varied reactions. Some view it as a politically motivated move, while others see it as a consequence of the consistent defeats Pakistan has faced against India in recent years. The absence of a specific reason from the Pakistani government has further fueled speculation and debate.

Despite the controversies, Anurag Thakur, along with other political figures like Jay Shah, have been seen attending India-Pakistan matches in multinational tournaments. This signifies the complex relationship between the two nations, where sports and politics often intertwine. While bilateral series remain off the table due to security concerns and political tensions, matches in international tournaments continue to be a point of discussion and contention.

The upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 will proceed with Pakistan participating, albeit not against India, adding another chapter to the ongoing saga of India-Pakistan cricket relations.