In a stunning move that has sent ripples through the cricketing world, a high-ranking source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC), referring to it as the "Indian Cricket Council," and revealed the reasons behind Pakistan's boycott of their highly anticipated T20 World Cup match against India. The insider's comments, made public on Sunday, February 1, 2026, have ignited a fierce debate about the neutrality and governance of international cricket.
According to the source, Pakistan's decision to boycott the match scheduled for February 15, 2026, stems from what they perceive as the ICC's unjust treatment of Bangladesh cricket. The controversy began after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to security concerns cited by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Subsequently, Bangladesh requested the ICC to relocate their World Cup matches to Sri Lanka, citing similar security apprehensions, but the request was denied. Ultimately, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the World Cup, a move that has been met with fierce opposition from the PCB.
"This is not just about Bangladesh; it's about the principles of justice and fairness," the Pakistani insider stated. "The ICC's decision to exclude Bangladesh sends a wrong message to smaller cricket nations and raises serious questions about the council's impartiality. It increasingly feels like the ICC prioritizes the interests of one powerful nation above all others, hence the moniker 'Indian Cricket Council.'"
The PCB, under Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, has been vocal in its support for Bangladesh, even offering to host Bangladesh's World Cup matches. Naqvi publicly criticized the ICC for "double standards," subtly hinting at how the governing body had accommodated India's security concerns the previous year during the Champions Trophy, when the BCCI received government orders not to send its team to Pakistan.
The ICC has responded to Pakistan's boycott decision with a warning to the PCB, stating that such a stance "is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event". The ICC emphasized that selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competition and urged the PCB to find a mutually acceptable solution.
"ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions," the ICC stated. "While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan".
This is not the first time Pakistan has threatened to boycott international tournaments. Similar threats were made ahead of the Asia Cup in 2023 and the Champions Trophy in 2025 due to political tensions and disputes over hosting rights. However, on those occasions, compromises were reached, and Pakistan ultimately participated. The only time Pakistan followed through on a boycott was during the 1990-91 Asia Cup due to strained political relations with India.
Whether Pakistan will reconsider its decision remains to be seen. Some, like Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, believe that public reaction could force a rethink. However, as it stands, the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup hangs in the balance, with the PCB taking a firm stance against what it perceives as the ICC's bias.