India T20 World Cup boycott: Pakistan face new rivals and threats ahead
Rain and politics create double trouble for Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026. File photo
Rain and politics create double trouble for Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026. File photo
(Web Desk): Pakistan has refused to play against India in the T20 World Cup 2026, a move that has shocked cricket fans and created major debate worldwide.

This decision was taken as a protest over alleged unfair treatment toward Bangladesh and concerns about political interference in cricket by India’s current cricket leadership. The move has surprised millions of fans who were eagerly waiting for the high-voltage Pakistan vs India clash, one of the biggest attractions in world cricket.

The absence of India has now changed Pakistan’s path in the tournament. Cricket experts say Pakistan must win its matches against Netherlands, USA, and Namibia to maintain a strong position on the points table. These matches have become extremely important because every point will now decide Pakistan’s chances of moving forward.

However, experts believe Pakistan’s biggest threat may not be another team, but the weather. All of Pakistan’s matches are scheduled in Sri Lanka, where sudden and unexpected rain is common. This could disrupt matches and create serious problems for the team’s progress.

Sri Lanka’s meteorological department has already predicted rain during the opening match. This raises fears that matches may be interrupted or even abandoned, which could hurt Pakistan’s chances badly.

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If matches are washed out, Pakistan could lose valuable points and fall behind other teams. Its net run rate could also suffer, making qualification more difficult. Even without facing India, Pakistan may still face major challenges due to weather and tournament conditions.

Pakistan’s refusal to play against India has added politics to cricket again. This decision may protect Pakistan’s stance, but it also increases pressure on the team to perform well against smaller teams. At the same time, weather in Sri Lanka could become an unexpected enemy. Pakistan must stay focused and win matches clearly to avoid any risk of elimination.