Ehsan Mani, the former chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has weighed in on Pakistan's decision to boycott their T20 World Cup match against India, stating that the ICC cannot punish Pakistan because the decision came directly from the government. The highly anticipated match was scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The Pakistani government has permitted the team to participate in the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7, but has forbidden them from playing against India.
Mani argues that since the decision to boycott was made under governmental instruction, it falls outside the ICC's disciplinary authority. He drew a parallel to India's refusal to play its 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, which was also based on a government decision. Mani stated, "There can't be any sanctions against Pakistan if it follows government instructions. That was the basis on which India refused to play its 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. You can't have double standards,". He also criticized the ICC's inaction, saying, "Instead of dealing with the problem, the ICC has just stood there as a bystander".
The ICC, on the other hand, has questioned the Pakistan government's decision and warned that the boycott could lead to punitive sanctions. In a statement, the ICC expressed concern that this decision could have significant and long-term implications for cricket in Pakistan and the global cricket ecosystem. The ICC stated, “The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of". The ICC also stated that the decision undermines the integrity of global cricket and could have long-term implications for the sport. As of February 2, 2026, the ICC has not received any official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the decision.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions. Some Pakistani figures are supporting the boycott. Author Nadeem Farooq Paracha called the move "a clever response to a toothless ICC and its master, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India),". Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said the ICC's reaction "seemed more of a panic".
Conversely, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria believes the boycott will harm Pakistan cricket, projecting a negative image and suggesting that Pakistan is afraid to face India. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the politicization of cricket, calling Pakistan's boycott "disgraceful".
The financial implications of Pakistan's boycott are also significant. An India-Pakistan fixture in an ICC event generates an estimated USD 250 million, and its absence from the T20 World Cup will likely cause heavy losses to all stakeholders. The host broadcaster could incur advertisement revenue losses between Rs 200 crore to Rs 250 crore for the marquee game.
The ICC is likely to meet to decide Pakistan's fate. Sources indicate that the ICC is contemplating imposing severe sanctions on Pakistan for boycotting the match.