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Gideon Haigh on the depths of Pakistan's World Cup boycott
A 43-word social media post from the Pakistan government has been enough to rock cricket across the globe. Gideon Haigh explains why Pakistan won't play India at the T20 World Cup, how it will cost the sport in a myriad of ways, and what comes next. Featured: Gideon Haigh, writer, Cricket Et Al.
Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed celebrates after the dismissal of Australia's Josh Philippe during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, January 29, 2026.(AP: K.M. Chaudary)
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Pakistan boycott still hangs over T20 World Cup start
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With a boycott looming, the Twenty20 World Cup may be the first major International Cricket Council tournament (ICC) in 14 years to miss a head-to-head contest between traditional rivals India and Pakistan.
The T20 event opens on Saturday with Pakistan against the Netherlands, and with India finishing off the day one program against the United States.
It's the scheduled February 15 encounter in Colombo between Pakistan and India that has plunged the 20-team tournament into crisis.
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A prayer for cricket to rise above the politics
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The men's T20 World Cup is cricket's biggest party. It is the pinnacle event that showcases the broadest array of teams – from Europe, the Antipodes, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas. The guest list had been finalised. The caterers were locked in. The band was booked.
But oh. In the neighbourhood hosting the party, dysfunction is spilling over. Pakistan had refused to play in India, in return for India having refused to play in Pakistan last year. Bangladesh have since exited the tournament for different reasons. Now, most recently, Pakistan have announced they will not play their group match against India even in Colombo. These are tornadoes that have been whipped up in the political world and then sent in cricket's direction. What this means for the tournament is that as the guests are arriving, there is obvious discomfort. To cut this tension, you'd need a chainsaw.
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