After the Pakistan government finally gave the green light to their team to play in the T20 World Cup against India in Sri Lanka, former captain Mohammad Hafeez demanded a match that upholds sportsmanship and not what was witnessed on the field during the Asia Cup match.

India and Pakistan have faced off quite frequently in both white-ball formats over the past two years. Since 2023, India and Pakistan have been meeting almost every six months. They have played one match each in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 Asia Cup and now one more match in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.

Cricket aside, the tournament has been the focus of rising tensions between the two countries, as well as the two cricket boards. The boycott escalated this time when the Pakistani government asked its team not to participate in the T20 World Cup against India.

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PCB, BCCI ask cricket to stay away from politics

After the Pakistan government and PCB reversed their initial decision not to participate in the India vs Pakistan World Cup match, former captain Mohammad Hafeez came out and demanded that politics be kept out of the game.

Hafeez told the Tapmad show that he enjoyed watching India vs Pakistan and wanted to watch the matches more often and not just at ICC events. He further claimed that it was a rivalry that inspired almost an entire generation of stars.

“Whenever someone talks about the India-Pakistan match, I always support it because it’s that match, that rivalry, that inspires the whole world. I really hope that this match happens – God willing.”

“This is not just a match. I am not alone in this match. I want the matches between India and Pakistan to be played regularly and forever away from politics,” Mohammad Hafeez said, offering an impossible wish to both governments.

“Both countries should be allowed to play their full role in developing and spreading the game and cricket should never stop because of politics,” he concluded.

Pakistan captain hopes Indo-Pak match can be played in the right spirit

With the boycott over, the former Pakistan captain is happy that the green light has been given for the India-Pakistan match. However, he hopes the match can be played in the right spirit and claimed he would rather not witness it if it were played in the same manner as the Asia Cup matches.

“Secondly, no matter what happens in the India-Pakistan game, we must always maintain the integrity and spirit of the game at the highest level. Whenever this game is played – if it is played on the 15th – it should be played with complete sportsmanship.”

During the Asian Cup, players from both teams resisted and violated discipline many times. Players from both teams also received multiple penalties. Total lack of sportsmanship in the game.

“We don’t want a tournament like the Asia Cup. If it’s going to go like this, then frankly I don’t want to watch it at all,” Hafeez said.

PCB’s reversal saves ICC from financial carnage

On the other hand, apart from the BCCI and PCB being saved from defamation due to political and diplomatic tensions, the ICC also narrowly escaped losing millions of dollars.

The India vs Pakistan match is often considered one of the most intense matches in cricket, attracting millions of spectators, sponsors and more. If the Pakistan team boycotts the match, the ICC could lose $174 million.

So, it’s easy to say that the boycott snub is a huge benefit to the international body hosting the World Cup.

Also read: India vs Pakistan drama: BCCI breaks silence after Pakistan govt backtracks on T20 World Cup boycott