“Good Riddance, ICC Should Fine Them”: Priyanka Chaturvedi After Pakistan Skips India Clash in T20 World Cup 2026

Mumbai: Pakistan’s decision to stay away from its scheduled match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has sparked strong political reactions on both sides of the border. The move, cleared by the Pakistan government on Sunday, has added a fresh layer of controversy to cricketing ties between the two nations.

According to an official statement, Islamabad has permitted the Pakistan cricket team to take part in the global tournament but has explicitly barred it from playing the high-profile fixture against India on February 15, 2026. The announcement immediately triggered reactions in India’s political circles, with leaders questioning the intent and implications of the boycott.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi reacted sarcastically to Pakistan’s withdrawal. Taking to social media, she mocked both Pakistan’s economic condition and its cricket board, suggesting punitive action by the sport’s governing body. “Good riddance,” she wrote, adding that if the ICC were to impose heavy penalties, Pakistan would be left seeking international loans to deal with the fallout. Her remarks were widely seen as a dig at Pakistan’s fragile finances and repeated dependence on global lenders.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Masood raised a broader question about India’s approach to sporting engagements with Pakistan. Speaking to the media, he argued that India should reconsider any cricketing ties with its neighbour altogether. “Why should we even be discussing matches with Pakistan?” he said, adding that national dignity should take precedence over sporting considerations. Masood maintained that India ought to have taken a firm stand much earlier by refusing to engage in bilateral or multilateral cricket fixtures involving Pakistan.

The decision has also reopened debate around the role of the International Cricket Council and whether it should act against teams that skip scheduled matches for non-sporting reasons. While the ICC has not yet issued a response, the development is expected to have logistical and financial implications for the tournament.