The T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to begin tomorrow. Yet, instead of discussions about on-field affairs, the cricketing world has continued to buzz with politics, protest and uncertainty.
Bangladesh, though no longer part of the tournament, has stood at the centre of every conversation. Their removal from the competition sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity, triggering reactions that extended far beyond the boundary ropes. What was meant to be a celebration of cricket has turned into a debate over principle, protest and power.
The loudest storm, however, has revolved around India and Pakistan. Their much-anticipated clash on February 15 was thrown into doubt after Pakistan announced it would boycott the match. On Thursday, India captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the issue directly, standing calm but firm before the media at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
“We haven’t said no to playing them,” he said. “They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked, and we are going to Colombo.”
India has made it clear they will turn up at the stadium, ready to take the field, even if Pakistan chooses not to appear. The possibility of a forfeit win has only added to the tension surrounding the tournament’s opening phase.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha, speaking from Colombo, struck a cautious tone. He explained that the decision was not solely in the team’s hands. “If we meet India in the semifinal or final, we will go back to the government and act on their advice,” he said, leaving the door slightly open for a potential showdown later in the tournament.
At the heart of the matter lies Bangladesh’s exclusion. The Bangladesh team refused to travel to India, citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council responded by removing them from Group C and replacing them with Scotland. That decision triggered a wave of solidarity and backlash across the cricketing world.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly confirmed on Wednesday that his country’s boycott of the India match was a protest against Bangladesh’s removal. Addressing his federal cabinet, he declared: “We have taken a very clear stand… we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision.”
It was the first official acknowledgment from Pakistan’s government on the matter, giving political weight to what many had hoped would remain a sporting issue.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul responded with gratitude. In a simple but powerful gesture, he wrote, “Thank you, Pakistan,” on his official Facebook page, sharing Sharif’s remarks and reinforcing the sense that Bangladesh was not standing alone.
Former cricketers also weighed in. Nasser Hussain, the former England captain turned commentator, voiced his support for Bangladesh’s stance and praised Pakistan’s show of solidarity.
“I actually quite like Bangladesh sticking to their guns,” he said. “They stood up for their player, the Fizz [Mustafizur Rahman]. And I also quite like Pakistan sticking up for Bangladesh.”
Brett Lee, Australia’s former fast-bowling spearhead, took a different tone, urging cricket to rise above politics. “Let’s get the politics out of it,” he said on a podcast. “I really hope the match happens. The whole world watches when India and Pakistan play one another.”
And that is the central dilemma: the world’s most electrifying cricket rivalry is on hold, caught between diplomacy and sport. Fans, broadcasters and players alike feel the weight of what is being lost.
As the clock ticks toward the tournament’s opening ball, a single question lingers in the air: will the action on the field finally bring relief after weeks of political posturing?
Only time will tell whether cricket reclaims the spotlight -- or remains in the shadow of politics.
