More Politics Than Cricket: The Real Story Behind India–Pakistan Matches

The Pakistan government and the Pakistan Cricket Board finally did what they should have done from the beginning. I am referring to the decision by the Pakistan government to direct the Pakistan Cricket Board not to play against India on 15 February 2026 in the T20 World Cup 2026 match in Colombo.

However, yesterday that decision was reversed. Pakistan has finally given permission to play against India, using unnecessary justifications such as showing support for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and citing requests from the Sri Lankan government to let the IND-PAK play on their soil.

A Conflict That Never Really Went Away

The tension between India and Pakistan is not new. Ever since both countries came into existence, this conflict has continued. Earlier, this conflict was purely political, but after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, it stopped being only political.

Cricket has always played a role in keeping India and Pakistan connected. Whether it was 1971 or the 1999 Kargil border tension, there were serious problems between the two countries, but cricket never completely stopped. There was only one instance in 1991 when Pakistan refused to play the Asia Cup.

26/11 Changed Everything

After the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, when Pakistan’s role came under question, no bilateral series was played between the two countries until 2012. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was played in 2012. Since then, India–Pakistan matches have been limited to ICC tournaments, primarily due to Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attacks on Indian soil and border tensions.

Lahore: The Incident That Isolated Pakistan Cricket

After the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, the ICC effectively blacklisted Pakistan from hosting international cricket events. In 2025, after almost 29 years, the ICC allowed Pakistan to host an ICC event, but India still refused to travel there. However, before that, Pakistan had travelled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

From Cricket Rivalry to Political Ego Clash

This is where the ego battle seems to have started. After that, Pakistan also took a firm stand that it would not play matches in India and would agree only to neutral venues.

This ego clash became worse after Operation Sindoor, when India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chief and PCB head Mohsin Naqvi after winning the final. From that moment, Pakistan started looking for an opportunity to corner India.

That opportunity came through Bangladesh when, after the IPL mini auction, the BCCI indicated to IPL franchise KKR that they were free to release Mustafizur Rahman, who had been bought for ₹8 crore, if they wished. This was reportedly linked to Indian public sentiment following reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

After this, Bangladesh also refused to play against India. It did not stop there; Bangladesh even refused to take part in the T20 World Cup 2026, which is being hosted by India.

This gave Pakistan a chance to pressure India. Even though it did not want to openly do so, Pakistan began lobbying with Bangladesh. To make Bangladesh feel it was not alone, the Pakistan government went a step further and threatened to withdraw from the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match scheduled for 15 February 2026.

How Financial Power Shapes ICC Decisions?

The world knows that the ICC’s current financial strength exists mainly because of the BCCI, the richest cricket board in the world. In the financial year 2023–24, BCCI earned ₹18,700 crore, far more than any other cricket board. The ICC chairman Jay Shah, who was earlier the BCCI secretary, and the fact that many ICC officials are Indian, continues to trouble Pakistan.

Deserve than desire

Pakistan today is not only a failed state, but also has a failed cricket board. Such threats do not suit them at all. Pakistan’s cricket team does not perform consistently, yet it is unclear what the PCB is proud of. Pakistan is ranked 8th in Tests, 6th in T20Is, and 5th in ODIs, and is often humiliated by associate nations. Still, the arrogance remains.

Pakistan should first focus on improving its own team and keep cricket away from political issues, especially the Pakistan Cricket Board, which is heavily influenced by Pakistan’s filthy politics, and the Pakistani Army. The BCCI is also under political influence, but it never allows that influence to affect the team’s performance. That is why the Indian team continues to perform well overall.

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