Pakistan boycotted India clash out of fear of Gautam Gambhir’s team, not to support Bangladesh - Here’s why

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under chairman Mohsin Naqvi, announced they would boycott their match against archrivals India during the T20 World Cup 2026. Many questioned whether this decision was made to avoid playing India, rather than to support Bangladesh, who were removed from the event.

The ICC has reacted to Pakistan’s decision to boycott their T20 World Cup match against India in Colombo. Notably, the ICC clarified through an official statement that it has not yet received formal confirmation of the move from the Pakistan Cricket Board and added that it is still waiting for an official response.

Fear of Gautam Gambhir’s India Behind Pakistan’s Decision?

The claim that Pakistan showed solidarity with Bangladesh has raised more questions than answers. Many believe the real concern is facing Gautam Gambhir’s India side, which has taken on a far more aggressive identity under his leadership.

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Since becoming head coach, Gambhir has pushed a fearless brand of cricket, with India attacking from the very first ball. This approach has troubled Pakistan in the past, and the current Indian team is very different from the sides they once competed against.

Some feel skipping the contest helps the Pakistan Cricket Board avoid explaining another heavy defeat to a Gambhir-led India back home. The Men in Green suffered three losses to India in the Asia Cup 2025, including the final.

India’s T20 World Cup Dominance Over Pakistan

India have held the upper hand over Pakistan in T20 World Cup meetings, turning the rivalry into a tough challenge for the Men in Green. The trend began in 2007, when India won both the bowl-out and the final, and continued with dominant victories in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

Pakistan’s only victory against India in the T20 World Cup came in 2021. In 2022 at Melbourne, Virat Kohli produced a memorable knock to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. India then defended just 119 in New York in 2024 and stopped Pakistan from chasing a run-a-ball target.

India’s recent dominance over Pakistan in the Asia Cup has further widened the gap between the two sides. Facing this Indian team now often feels like confronting a history that keeps repeating itself.

India Hold Clear Edge Over Pakistan in Squad Strength

India have picked a strong and well-balanced squad, packed with match-winners in every department. Openers like Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan provide fast starts, while the middle order looks solid with Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.

Jasprit Bumrah, often regarded as one of the best T20 bowlers ever, will lead the bowling unit, with support from Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy. This combination gives India control in both the powerplays and the death overs.

Pakistan, in contrast, depend heavily on individual brilliance rather than collective team performances. Their pace attack, once their biggest strength, has struggled on flat pitches, while the spin department has failed to deliver consistent breakthroughs.

Facing this Indian side would have required something extraordinary. Many believe the Pakistan Cricket Board chose a boycott not for political reasons, but to avoid a likely heavy defeat against a dominant Indian team.

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