T20 World Cup 2026: UAE Slams Pakistan Over India Match Boycott Row, Tells PCB To Remember Its Favours

New Delhi: Uncertainty continues to grow over the high-voltage match between India and Pakistan in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. After Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has also written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), appealing to them to reconsider their decision to distance themselves from the proposed India-Pakistan match on February 15. Meanwhile, the ICC is also continuously trying to resolve this dispute through dialogue so that the tournament's biggest match is not jeopardized.

What stance has the Emirates Cricket Board taken?

According to a report by RevSportz, the Emirates Cricket Board, in its letter, described Pakistan as an "important member of the cricket family," stating that it had provided its grounds to Pakistan during difficult times and helped in organizing several international matches. The board reminded Pakistan that the UAE has played a crucial role in keeping Pakistan cricket on the global stage. Therefore, boycotting the match against India would not only be detrimental to cricket but could also negatively impact the financial situation of associate nations.

The Emirates Cricket Board stated in its message that the cancellation of any major match in a big tournament like the T20 World Cup directly affects broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and global viewership, which could harm the entire cricket ecosystem. Therefore, all parties should work together to find a practical and acceptable solution.

What had Sri Lanka said?

Earlier, Sri Lanka Cricket had also appealed to the PCB to change its stance and cited potential financial losses. Now, with the UAE stepping in, it is clear that the international cricket community is putting pressure on Pakistan to maintain the dignity of the tournament and resolve the dispute through dialogue.

The ICC is monitoring the entire situation. ICC officials have held several rounds of talks with the PCB to ensure that the tournament's schedule and commercial structure are not affected in any way. The India-Pakistan match is extremely important for the ICC, as this match is considered the biggest attraction in terms of broadcasting revenue, advertising, and global viewership.

What has Pakistan demanded?

Meanwhile, a report by Cricbuzz reveals that Pakistan has put forward three major demands to the ICC for playing the match against India. The first demand is an increase in the annual funding received from the ICC. They also want the ICC to facilitate the resumption of bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan. Furthermore, they insist on the continuation of traditions related to sportsmanship, such as the post-match handshake.

According to reports, the PCB will only make a final decision after consulting with the Pakistani government. This is why all eyes are now on whether Pakistan will soften its stance or if the biggest match of the World Cup will remain shrouded in controversy. The India-Pakistan match is considered the biggest cricket rivalry in the world.

Therefore, if this match doesn't happen, it could impact not only the tournament but also the entire cricket calendar and the global cricket economy. The next few days will determine whether cricket's greatest rivalry will be witnessed on the field or go down in history as a significant absence.