Pakistan Captain Salman Agha Reacts After India Match Boycott, Says “Hum Kuch Nahi Kar Sakte”

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Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has publicly addressed his team's decision to boycott their group-stage clash against India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, making it clear that the players had no role in shaping the move.

India and Pakistan were scheduled to face each other on February 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo as part of Group A. However, the Pakistan government announced on Sunday that while the national side has been permitted to participate in the tournament, it will not take the field against India.

"The government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India," read a statement posted on the government's official X account.

Speaking to reporters after Pakistan completed a dominant 3-0 T20I series sweep against Australia, Agha stressed that the decision was beyond the players' control.

"We are going to the World Cup. Humara decision nahi hai, hum kuch nahi kar sakte. (The decision not to play against India isn't ours, so we cannot do anything about it.) Whatever our government, the PCB chief tells us to do, we will do that only," Agha said.

Pakistan head into the World Cup in strong form after registering two massive victories over Australia by margins exceeding 90 runs, a result that boosted confidence within the squad ahead of the global event starting February 7.

Despite the team's red-hot form, the partial boycott has sparked unease at the ICC. The global governing body has expressed concern over Pakistan's stance, particularly the concept of selective participation in a world tournament.

"While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms," the ICC said in a statement.

With Pakistan placed in a competitive group alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands and Namibia, forfeiting the India fixture could have serious qualification implications. As the ICC deliberates its next steps, the controversy continues to grow-placing Pakistan's World C