MUMBAI: The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will officially begin when Pakistan take on the Netherlands in the opener at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo on Saturday morning. A few hours apart, their arch-rivals and defending champions India will play the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The two matches, involving both India and Pakistan, on the opening day can give the tournament a good opening and euphoria would only reach the peak when the two arch-rivals gear up to face each other.
Unfortunately that would not be the case, at least for now with the Pakistan government deciding against the contest. Since 1992 when they played against each other at the ODI World Cup, no edition of the marquee event was staged without them locking horns except for the 2007 tournament where both got eliminated after the first stage. In the T20 World Cups as well, they played each other in all except for two editions (2009 and 2010).
The 10th edition in India and Sri Lanka was supposed to be the battleground for their ninth meeting but that looks a far cry at the moment. It was bound to be a topic of discussion when the International Cricket Council held Captains' Carnival simultaneously in Mumbai and Colombo two days prior to the start of the tournament on Thursday. India captain Suryakumar Yadav while replying to a query in this regard said they are flying out for Colombo for the match as it's not their decision (not playing).
“Our mindset is pretty clear. We have not said no (to playing against Pakistan). They have. ICC has given the fixture. Our flight is booked and we are going there (to Colombo),” the India captain said. “Their (Pakistan’s) decision is not in my control. I wish I could take their decision, but then it is their call.”
Suryakumar also spoke on the ICC's position on the issue and said, “I feel it is not an easy job. It is not my call. I am sure they might be working out something as well, but (since) it has come from the other government or the nation, how can they (the ICC) help as well! For them as well, I know it will be a difficult situation they will be in. But as I said, if we are told and the fixtures are ready, we will definitely go ahead.” The destructive Mumbai batter reiterated that they played Pakistan thrice during the Asia Cup winning all the matches and would definitely play in Colombo if given an opportunity.
The reply from his Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha counterpart was on the same line. “The India game is not in our control. It’s the government’s decision, and we respect that. Whatever they are going to say, we will do that," Agha said in Colombo. He was also queried about the possibility of Pakistan meeting India in the knockout matches of the tournament but Agha affirmed that call will be taken by their government. "India's game is not in our control. It was the government's decision and again if we have to play them in the semifinal or final, we have to go back to them and act on their advice," he said.
Despite both captains expressing their respective opinions and literally saying they cannot do much on the issue, the talks are expected to center around the February 15 match in Colombo till the day finally arrives. With India scheduled to fly out for Colombo and Pakistan already stationed there, not all is lost at the moment. Will they, won't they - only time will tell.
