New Delhi, Feb. 2 -- Former Indian cricketer and TMC MP, Kirti Azad, said Pakistan refused to play against India in both teams' group-stage fixture of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 because they know they can not win the match.

Kirti Azad said Pakistan is boycotting the T20 World Cup match against India because they "can't win" the match. He also said that India should have withdrawn from the World Cup to send an international message against terrorism afterthe Pahalgam terrorist attack in 2025.

"Pakistan knows it can't win. So it thought to save face... India had a great opportunity when 26 people were killed in Baisaran (valley in Pahalgam). India shouldn't have played in the World Cup then... This would have sent a message...