'Preparing for the entire T20 World Cup': Salman Mirza breaks silence on playing against India amid PCB's boycott calls

Pakistan speedster Salman Mirza said that their team is preparing for the entire T20 World Cup 2026 and the side will play against arch-rivals India in Colombo if their government allows them to do so. Notably, ICC are currently in talks with the PCB after they decided to boycott their World Cup clash against India, which will take place on February 15.

Salman Mirza on India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 clash

While addressing a press conference ahead of Pakistan's match against the USA on Tuesday, Mirza was asked if the players had any discussions within the group regarding the match against India.

"We are preparing for the entire T20 World Cup. We will play accordingly to the team we have to play. It will be the decision of the government. We will do whatever is told to us," the 32-year-old said.

However, the focus for the time being is on the USA, who beat them in the last edition.

"We are focused on the coming match and we are focusing on the match one-to-one, whichever is coming up. And about the match on the 15th (vs India), that is the decision of the government, whatever they decide we will play accordingly" adeed Salman Mirza.

Will Pakistan play against India?

Sports Tak understands that the PCB and ICC are currently in talks for the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan. During that meeting, PCB has placed several demands before the ICC in an effort to reconsider its decision to boycott the match.

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PCB's demands for ICC to take u-turn from boycott

One of Pakistan’s key demands is that Bangladesh should continue to receive its share of ICC revenue. However, the ICC has already decided not to penalise Bangladesh on its own.

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The PCB has also asked the ICC to allot Bangladesh a compensatory ICC event, pointing out that last year’s Women’s T20 World Cup was moved from Bangladesh to Dubai due to civil unrest. There is a possibility that Bangladesh could be awarded the next Under-19 World Cup as compensation.

ICC turns down PCB’s requests

Pakistan further urged the ICC to help revive bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan and also proposed a tri-series involving India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The ICC rejected these requests, stating that such matters do not fall under its authority, including within the World Test Championship framework.

The PCB also demanded that India tour Bangladesh later this year. It may be recalled that the BCCI postponed India’s Bangladesh tour indefinitely, but the ICC again maintained that it cannot intervene in bilateral series decisions.

When will PCB decide about their participation?

The ICC has given the PCB a day to make its final call. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said he wants to consult Pakistan’s Prime Minister before making a decision. The meeting is expected to take place shortly, with an official announcement from the ICC likely by this evening or tomorrow morning.