The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come under criticism after releasing the official ticket sales poster for the T20 World Cup 2026, which notably does not feature Pakistan’s skipper or any other Pakistani players.
The poster, shared across the ICC’s official social media channels, highlights skippers from India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, and England.
Visit Times of Karachi website for the latest news-related content daily
However, the absence of Pakistan’s representatives, including captain Salman Ali Agha, sparked strong reactions online, with fans calling the omission “deliberate” and “disrespectful.”
Leaving Pakistan out of the T20 2026 poster is not a “mistake” — it’s straight-up disrespect.
— an_um ___ yamm ❤ (@kabitobulalo) December 11, 2025
Agha is the captain. Pakistan is a full member.
ICC doesn’t get to erase a whole nation from its own World Cup promo.
Fix your bias or stop calling it “global cricket.” https://t.co/tp6fnnS9El
Criticism has also reignited broader debates over the ICC’s leadership, particularly with Jay Shah serving as Chairman.
Pakistan cricket fans expressed after no Pakistani players were featured on the ICC’s promotional ticket poster for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
— News PMC (@newspmc_pk) December 12, 2025
The visual, shared across the ICC’s social media platforms, highlighted captains from other participating countries but noticeably… pic.twitter.com/6lNJjufdsW
Many analysts and supporters suggest that the growing influence of the BCCI is affecting ICC marketing and promotional decisions, often to Pakistan’s disadvantage.
READ: ICC announces opening of ticket sales for Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
ICC = Indian Cricket Council
— Danish Warraich (@dim185306) December 11, 2025
Shame on you ICC
You are nothing, just Indian Cricket Council.
The ICC has released the official T20 World Cup 2026 poster and guess what? Not a single Pakistani player is included. Not one.
What a joke.
Pakistan is one of the biggest forces in… pic.twitter.com/wa6DQcq0du
Social media quickly became a platform for complaints, with users accusing the ICC of sidelining Pakistan despite the country’s rich cricketing history.
A surprising and confusing matter! Why is @TheRealPCB
— Syed Yahya Hussaini (@SYahyaHussaini) December 11, 2025
captain
@SalmanAliAgha1
picture not included on
@ICC
T20 World Cup match and tickets poster? pic.twitter.com/jyxgohJnYy
Experts say the decision sends a concerning message as the tournament’s promotional activities gain momentum.
For the unversed, Pakistan currently ranks seventh in the T20I team rankings and failed to qualify for the Super Eight round in the previous edition, which could be a reason behind Pakistan’s exclusion from the poster, along with New Zealand.
Follow the Times of Karachi channel on WhatsApp
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Pakistan is scheduled to play all its matches in Sri Lanka under the co-hosting arrangement.
Online ticket sales for the tournament have opened yesterday.
