Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed support for the government’s decision not to play against India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

 

Sharing his views on X, Afridi said, "I’ve always believed cricket can open doors when politics closes them. It’s regrettable that Pakistan won’t play India at the #T20WorldCup, but I stand behind my government’s decision."

 

Afridi added that this situation is a test for the ICC. "This is the moment for @ICC [International Cricket Council] to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it is impartial, independent and fair to every member," he said.

 

Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez also shared his reaction on X. He said, "Started *No Handshake* from India… I am surprised by Pakistan’s withdrawal from the most important game of the ICC tournament. This is not an ideal situation for fans of cricket. Worried."

 

The decision follows Bangladesh’s request to the ICC to move all its matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. The request came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) removed Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid threats from Hindu extremist groups. 

 

Bangladesh argued that if India cannot ensure the security of a single player, it becomes difficult to guarantee the safety of an entire team.

 

Instead of resolving the issue, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament. Pakistan described the decision as unfair, pointing out that the ICC had previously granted India a separate venue when it refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. 

 

Pakistan said it stands with Bangladesh, calling the denial of the same consideration an injustice.

 

Earlier, Pakistan had stated that its participation would depend on the government’s decision. However, after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week to discuss participation in the event, the government announced on Sunday that Pakistan’s national team will skip the high-voltage match against India scheduled for February 15.