"Pakistan kind of pulled a blinder...for India, that's a disaster": Mark Butcher on Pakistan skipping T20I WC clash against Arch-rivals

[The Bald Eagle]

Former England batter Mark Butcher’s comments on Pakistan’s boycott of the India match in the 2026 T20 World Cup has irked Indians big time:


* “In the same group. Why? Because it is the most lucrative fixture in cricket, and some say, in the world of sport. The ICC has to ensure that India and Pakistan are in the same group, and they are every single time.”

* "It's not a coincidence, that is done by rote from the top, which is a bizarre situation, right? Other teams have to qualify, they get put in groups, it comes out of a hat or the rest, but those two all to do with money."

* "Pakistan are in a situation whereby there is sort of, you know, that they did as the younger brother or whatever it might be, although other cousin at India, and India pretty much gets its own way."

* "Pakistan basically kind of pulled a blinder. They turned around and said, 'Okay, we still want to be involved in the tournament, however we are not going to play against India because of what you have done with Bangladesh.'"

* "Everything got rearranged and all the other teams... this is where my biggest problem comes in: when it happens, it affects all of the other teams because their program has to change."

* "For India, that is a disaster for the ICC. It was a disaster because of the size financially and that fixture, and kind of the only lever really in Pakistan."

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019018371497345338

 

[Devadwal]

I'll not surprised if he gets a job in PSL or already Talk is ongoing .

Gillespie post the tweet because he was selected by PSL .

 

[charlie007]

Butcher is mistaken for thinking Pakistan did it for Bangladesh. Right now the tempers are high, passions are flowing, wild claims are flying, and fans are jingoistic with nationalism. But this all will settle down and realism will establish itself.
Wrong decision! Talk about shooting your own foot. Hope they back off for their own sake and good.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Not sure why It is a disaster for India. Indian tours generate money for any country they visit. Be it is SA or England or Australia. Then there is IPL money. It is only disaster for smaller nations and PCB who will get less money. Less share. Possible sanctions, Law suit. Future actions. If you sit back and analyze you will understand Pakistan has a lot more to lose not just points.

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan definitely sent India a strong message.

It shook up BCCICC. They started to negotiate behind the scene.

 

[Rana]

Short term loss India and world cricket might be prepared for but not the long term consequences of not having this cash flow.

Oh well, this is what India always wanted. They will finally get it

 

[Rajdeep]

I'll not surprised if he gets a job in PSL or already Talk is ongoing .

Gillespie post the tweet because he was selected by PSL .

All these Brits are supporting Pakistan because they see India as a threat. Likes of Bumble Lloyd and Nasser Hussain hating on success of IPL is nothing new. Supporting underdog Pakistan is easy for them.

Someone pls let Butcher know the reason India didnt travel to Pak in CT is due to security issue. Their COAS openly said Hindus are different to them before orcheatrating Pahalgam attacks.

Someone pls tell him that reason Mustafizur was banned from IPL because BD regime is killing hindus everyday.

Someone pls tell Butch that India also accomodated Pakistan and going to SL to play them on their request.

More power to BCCI....keep these colonial goras under the boot. If required cut down the 5 test matches we offer to England.

 

[Rajdeep]

Pakistan definitely sent India a strong message.

It shook up BCCICC. They started to negotiate behind the scene.

If Pakistan comes to play against India on 15th Feb...that will be the biggest humiliation for any nation. So irrespective of back ground negitiations, PCB should stick to its stance.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

All these Brits are supporting Pakistan because they see India as a threat. Likes of Bumble Lloyd and Nasser Hussain hating on success of IPL is nothing new. Supporting underdog Pakistan is easy for them.

Someone pls let Butcher know the reason India didnt travel to Pak in CT is due to security issue. Their COAS openly said Hindus are different to them before orcheatrating Pahalgam attacks.

Someone pls tell him that reason Mustafizur was banned from IPL because BD regime is killing hindus everyday.

Someone pls tell Butch that India also accomodated Pakistan and going to SL to play them on their request.

More power to BCCI....keep these colonial goras under the boot. If required cut down the 5 test matches we offer to England.

Hahah...why don't you do that...hope you haven't moved to US TESCO branch now lol

 

[jnaveen1980]

If Pakistan comes to play against India on 15th Feb...that will be the biggest humiliation for any nation. So irrespective of back ground negitiations, PCB should stick to its stance.

I will be surprised if they stick to their stance. One rained out match they will be in serious pickle.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I will be surprised if they stick to their stance. One rained out match they will be in serious pickle.

I think after that forfeit, nobody is expecting Pakistan to make it far even into the SFs

 

[Rajdeep]

I will be surprised if they stick to their stance. One rained out match they will be in serious pickle.

Pak must boycott India game. If they take a u turn and come to play on 15th Feb, DevRaj communication will be in action.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I will be surprised if they stick to their stance. One rained out match they will be in serious pickle.

So far it is just a statement. It will remain as statement until that day passes. Pakistan has enough time to do this drama. On that day i think they will show up either on their own or ICC could threaten them.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

If Pakistan comes to play against India on 15th Feb...that will be the biggest humiliation for any nation. So irrespective of back ground negitiations, PCB should stick to its stance.

What about this?

 

[rballer]

I think after that forfeit, nobody is expecting Pakistan to make it far even into the SFs

I think Indians are really having hard time understanding the concept that cricket at the end of day is just a sport, an entertainment. It’s not something that Pak lives revolve around.

Win, loss, crap happens. Some things are more important than a bat and a ball.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pak must boycott India game. If they take a u turn and come to play on 15th Feb, DevRaj communication will be in action.

You are already doing overtime, DevRajs

 

[Rana]

You are already doing overtime, DevRajs

The only DevRaj I know

 

[The Bald Eagle]

The only DevRaj I know

He was khatri but these are masoomi like Waseem Badami

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Individual opinions - either pro or con - mostly mean nothing except for scoring temporary vanity points off each other.

What matters is process, and only process. I.e the process that PCB, ICC and BCCI intend to follow.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Butcher was also right about the fact that this situation was caused by India.

Now we are in a weird situation where Indians are asking PCB to consider their finances before making a decision.

Bhaiyo you considered your finances and failed to act when your public demanded it, and sold your certain victims ( for some reason whenever this point is made mods delete it so I won't name them) for 2 world cup points.

Do you remember when your companies pulled out of sponsoring a legends league match, but now your whole ecosystem is cacking it's pants because Pakistan is pulling out? And all the other shenanigans pulled.

Don't come and lecture us now. The time to come and act for the benefit of cricket has came and gone. And you guys were sadly silent.

 

[waqaspp]

Quick question have GOP or PCB issued an official statement? Last time I checked X was not an officiel media outlet.

Also I see no mention of clause 16.10.7 in ICC T20 playing conditions pdf. Which is on ICC website

 

[The Bald Eagle]

It's hilarious how Indian fans remain restless while claiming that they don't care at all. Even outsiders pointing it out now.

 

[hur rizvi]

Nasser Hussain is next in line to receive good ol’ Indian hate

 

[Fenrir]

Butcher is mistaken for thinking Pakistan did it for Bangladesh. Right now the tempers are high, passions are flowing, wild claims are flying, and fans are jingoistic with nationalism. But this all will settle down and realism will establish itself.
Wrong decision! Talk about shooting your own foot. Hope they back off for their own sake and good.

Pakistan should never back off.I don’t understand why this has become a big issue.Many countries don’t play with Israel in international tournaments.If a team doesn’t want to play then it should not be forced to.Indians should be happy .They get 2 points and they won’t have to travel to SL

 

[sweep_shot]

All these Brits are supporting Pakistan because they see India as a threat. Likes of Bumble Lloyd and Nasser Hussain hating on success of IPL is nothing new. Supporting underdog Pakistan is easy for them.

Someone pls let Butcher know the reason India didnt travel to Pak in CT is due to security issue. Their COAS openly said Hindus are different to them before orcheatrating Pahalgam attacks.

Someone pls tell him that reason Mustafizur was banned from IPL because BD regime is killing hindus everyday.

Someone pls tell Butch that India also accomodated Pakistan and going to SL to play them on their request.

More power to BCCI....keep these colonial goras under the boot. If required cut down the 5 test matches we offer to England.

If you are anti-gora, what are you doing in a gora country? Shouldn't you live in NUMBER ONE INDIA?

Butcher doesn't live in India. He has no obligation to appease the bhakts.

Finally, considering India's rapid decline in Test, England themselves may refuse a 5-match series with India soon. LOL.

 

[aqua99]

Looking at the abandoned warm up match today, chances are they will be several washouts in SL. With one forfeited matches, Pakistan is pushing itself to a corner to move up to next stage.

 

[sweep_shot]

Looking at the abandoned warm up match today, chances are they will be several washouts in SL. With one forfeited matches, Pakistan is pushing itself to a corner to move up to next stage.

I have a feeling they may get some shortened games.

SL is always like this. Even 2012 World T20 (hosted in SL) was affected like this. Final was a shortened game.

 

[HalBass9]

Nasser Hussain is next in line to receive good ol’ Indian hate

Listened to that interview, he was spot on.

The political wing of BJP known as BCCI has ruined cricket.

 

[Kriketer]

Not sure why It is a disaster for India. Indian tours generate money for any country they visit. Be it is SA or England or Australia. Then there is IPL money. It is only disaster for smaller nations and PCB who will get less money. Less share. Possible sanctions, Law suit. Future actions. If you sit back and analyze you will understand Pakistan has a lot more to lose not just points.

If Pakistan completely stopped playing with India and with you started getting beating regularly like the 3-0 humiliation at home against NZ, then got no doubt that entire billion dollar model ll come down crashing quick

 

[LongHorn]

Someone pls tell him that reason Mustafizur was banned from IPL because BD regime is killing hindus everyday.

What a flat lie

 

[jnaveen1980]

If Pakistan completely stopped playing with India and with you started getting beating regularly like the 3-0 humiliation at home against NZ, then got no doubt that entire billion dollar model ll come down crashing quick

you are way out of touch like PCB. TO make money just schedule a tour with India. India literally doesn't need anyone. Nobody cares about TEsts in India. T20, ODIs in that order makes more money. Who is watching Test in India. But India does well in Australia way better than anyone else for the last 25 years. India vs Pakistan at MCG had 92000 people. India vs ZImabwbe at MCG few days later had 87000 people. This is just international. That is not even the big income generator. It is the IPL. Look at the WPL crowd. That is more than bilateral series.

Key Series Metrics (2024-2026)

BGT (2024-25)	Australia	A$49.2 million revenue surge; 900,000 tickets sold
India Tour (2024)	South Africa	R238 million net profit for CSA (approx. $13.7M)
Anderson-Tendulkar (2025)	England	170 million+ digital viewers; replaced the Pataudi Trophy

 

[jnaveen1980]

I listened to the whole interview. He is not going after anyone. He just says hope politics stay out cricket.

 

[light]

I listened to the whole interview. He is not going after anyone. He just says hope politics stay out cricket.

Was looking for the full intertiew to listen to. Have the link by any chance?

 

[jnaveen1980]

Was looking for the full intertiew to listen to. Have the link by any chance?

IT is a wisden podcast you can find on youtube

 

[mesmerizer85]

 

[light]

What a flat lie

Actually he isn't off about what he said. That was a reason for people of India getting all rilled up ... and India didn't want to risk it so why take a security risk. Which all comes back to if 1 player can't be secured, how can a whole team, lol.

But get this, recently, BD sent a team for a different sport (shooting if am not mistaken) to India. Same sport minister denied BD cricket team, but said ok for shooting team. So, where is their security? All 3 boards and politicians are pulling our legs man. Fans need to really show these loosers the door.

 

[Hitman]

How is it a disaster for India?

 

[Sachin fan]

How is it a disaster for India?

India: "We will ban Fizz"

Bangladesh: "We will ban all our players and give our ticket to Scotland!"

Pakistan: "We will give free points and rest day to India, hurt our players' chances, lose revenue AND slap host Sri Lanka in the face"

India: Ouch! Please stop hurting us guys!

 

[BouncerGuy]

India: "We will ban Fizz"

Bangladesh: "We will ban all our players and give our ticket to Scotland!"

Pakistan: "We will give free points and rest day to India, hurt our players' chances, lose revenue AND slap host Sri Lanka in the face"

India: Ouch! Please stop hurting us guys!

India: “We will ban Fizz.”
Bangladesh: “Fine, we’ll ban ourselves and hand Scotland the ticket.”
Pakistan: “We’ll sacrifice points, rest days, revenue, and even upset the hosts.”
Result: India loses the blockbuster fixture, the revenue, the prestige… and ends up hurting itself the most

 

[Hitman]

India: “We will ban Fizz.”
Bangladesh: “Fine, we’ll ban ourselves and hand Scotland the ticket.”
Pakistan: “We’ll sacrifice points, rest days, revenue, and even upset the hosts.”
Result: India loses the blockbuster fixture, the revenue, the prestige… and ends up hurting itself the most

The point is how does it hurt India in the real, practical world? It's the broadcasters who will suffer revenue wise, but India has nothing to lose except a little less amount of dollars in the from of ICC handouts, which is so insignificant to them, it's hard to even put it into words.​

 

[jnaveen1980]

The point is how does it hurt India in the real, practical world? It's the broadcasters who will suffer revenue wise, but India has nothing to lose except a little less amount of dollars in the from of ICC handouts, which is so insignificant to them, it's hard to even put it into words.​

Revenue share is based on how much the tournament makes. IT is the smaller nations that will suffer. THey will not be nice to Pakistan. India makes 70 to 80% of ICC money takes only 38%. India can further isolate pakistan take more cut if they want.

 

[BouncerGuy]

The point is how does it hurt India in the real, practical world? It's the broadcasters who will suffer revenue wise, but India has nothing to lose except a little less amount of dollars in the from of ICC handouts, which is so insignificant to them, it's hard to even put it into words.​

You’re underestimating the impact. Broadcasters don’t operate in isolation — their losses directly affect the ICC’s commercial value, which in turn weakens the very ecosystem India thrives in. The India–Pakistan fixture isn’t just “a few dollars,” it’s the single most lucrative match in world cricket. If that collapses, the next rights cycle is devalued, sponsorships shrink, and the ICC’s bargaining power erodes.

 

[harshjoshi87]

Meanwhile Jay Shah & ICC CEO are enjoying their Olympic trip in Milan. Nobody cares about the 15th match anymore.

 

[Sachin fan]

India: “We will ban Fizz.”
Bangladesh: “Fine, we’ll ban ourselves and hand Scotland the ticket.”
Pakistan: “We’ll sacrifice points, rest days, revenue, and even upset the hosts.”
Result: India loses the blockbuster fixture, the revenue, the prestige… and ends up hurting itself the most

If the broadcasters lose revenue, ICC will just withhold PCBs annual fund ($58M) and use it to pay broadcasters and hosts. In this case hosts are sri lanka

No one is getting hurt.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

The only DevRaj I know

Ismein bhi surrender?

 

[imran1976]

These Indians claim that they don't care about matches with Pakistan, now they are crying 24/7 , move on we ain't playing with you.

 

[emranabbas]

If the broadcasters lose revenue, ICC will just withhold PCBs annual fund ($58M) and use it to pay broadcasters and hosts. In this case hosts are sri lanka

No one is getting hurt.

Einstein, but who exactly is going to pay the member boards and associates?

The PCB’s annual fund isn’t enough to cover all of that, it might not even be enough to cover the broadcasters costs.

So who covers the shortfall?

 

[IAJ]

These Indians claim that they don't care about matches with Pakistan, now they are crying 24/7 , move on we ain't playing with you.

This is true. Go to any cricketing show in India and all they talk about is this match, how Pakistan are digging grave for itself etc. Man you don't care about Pakistan, so just forget this game and go on. Indians phir rou rahe hain

 

[Falconslions]

Pakistan India World Cup game makes around 100 to 150 million USD for ICC.

T20 World Cup is worth approx 800 million for ICC.

 

[Bhimja turtle]

Pakistan’s decision to boycott its high-profile men’s T20 World Cup group match against India has triggered sharp criticism from Australia, with veteran sports journalists Peter Lalor and Gideon Haigh warning that the move could push Pakistan cricket into deeper isolation. The comments came soon after Pakistan officially announced it would not take the field against India on February 15 in Colombo, even though the government cleared the national team to participate in the rest of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup starting February

If they don't play, then who's in their corner? Bangladesh: Aussie journos
Reacting to the boycott, Lalor and Haigh questioned Pakistan’s standing in world cricket without the India rivalry, calling the decision self-damaging.

“The problem for Pakistan now is that it leaves them nowhere to go except into a sort of further degree of isolation. Pakistan's relevance to the rest of the world in cricket is because of the rivalry with India. If they don't play then who's in their corner? Bangladesh.”

 

[Champ_Pal]

Its a fact.

 

[Bhimja turtle]

Dubara post kr deta hu

 

[The Bald Eagle]

This stuff has already been covered,

Pakistan’s decision to boycott its high-profile men’s T20 World Cup group match against India has triggered sharp criticism from Australia, with veteran sports journalists Peter Lalor and Gideon Haigh warning that the move could push Pakistan cricket into deeper isolation. The comments came soon after Pakistan officially announced it would not take the field against India on February 15 in Colombo, even though the government cleared the national team to participate in the rest of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup starting February

If they don't play, then who's in their corner? Bangladesh: Aussie journos
Reacting to the boycott, Lalor and Haigh questioned Pakistan’s standing in world cricket without the India rivalry, calling the decision self-damaging.

“The problem for Pakistan now is that it leaves them nowhere to go except into a sort of further degree of isolation. Pakistan's relevance to the rest of the world in cricket is because of the rivalry with India. If they don't play then who's in their corner? Bangladesh.”

 

[DRsohail]

Butcher is mistaken for thinking Pakistan did it for Bangladesh. Right now the tempers are high, passions are flowing, wild claims are flying, and fans are jingoistic with nationalism. But this all will settle down and realism will establish itself.
Wrong decision! Talk about shooting your own foot. Hope they back off for their own sake and good.

Agreed

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019379538015515069

 

[TeymurBlake]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019379538015515069

It such a true statement.

Why play in tournaments when you don’t play bilateral’s. Play together regularly or don’t play against each other, you can’t have it both ways.

 

[Technics 1210]

Pakistan must not negotiate with Hindutva terrorists.

End of.

 

[jnaveen1980]

All the smaller boards depend on the money from ICC. Pakistan will.become instant enemies of other smaler boards if their cut is impacted.

 

[BDfanforever]

Not sure why It is a disaster for India. Indian tours generate money for any country they visit. Be it is SA or England or Australia. Then there is IPL money. It is only disaster for smaller nations and PCB who will get less money. Less share. Possible sanctions, Law suit. Future actions. If you sit back and analyze you will understand Pakistan has a lot more to lose not just points.

Not really, PCB only gets like 4% of ICC Shares, smaller boards gets even less percentage. IND gets 30%+ so this boycott will impact IND more. Of course, IND can always make the money back through IPL, but that is different story.

 

[BDfanforever]

All the smaller boards depend on the money from ICC. Pakistan will.become instant enemies of other smaler boards if their cut is impacted.

Smaller boards will have even less relevance going forward once Bangladesh stops playing with them. SENA + IND hardly plays with smaller boards. They will just rely on handouts from ICC/IND going forward.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Not really, PCB only gets like 4% of ICC Shares, smaller boards gets even less percentage. IND gets 30%+ so this boycott will impact IND more. Of course, IND can always make the money back through IPL, but that is different story.

You are talking about annual distribution. There is a separate revenue share for each tournament. That will take a significant hit.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Scotland was going to make 800k to a million just for taking part doing okay.