Indian media is pressuring the ICC to punish Pakistan after the announcement of boycotting the match against India.

Former International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Ehsan Mani says that Pakistan cannot be punished for boycotting the group match against India, as this decision has been taken under government instructions and its scope is outside the disciplinary powers of the ICC.

Pakistan has announced that the national team will not take the field against India in the high-profile match to be held in Colombo on February 15.

In a statement issued on social media, the Pakistani government clarified that the team will play the remaining matches of the tournament as scheduled.

Former PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said in this regard that if Pakistan is following government orders, then sanctions cannot be imposed on it.

Citing the example of the Champions Trophy 2025, Ehsan Mani said that the same principle was also applied when India refused to play in Pakistan.

He accused the ICC of adopting double standards and said that the institution has remained a silent spectator instead of solving the problem.

On the other hand, the ICC has expressed concern over the Pakistani government’s directive and warned that non-participation in selected matches could have consequences.

According to the ICC, this move is not in line with the principles of a global sporting event.

It should be noted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet written an official letter to the ICC regarding the boycott of the match.