In an unexpected twist during the fourth match of the T20 World Cup 2026 between New Zealand and Afghanistan, Pakistani presence caught Indian viewers by surprise.
Fans watching the live stream on India’s Jio Hotstar were shocked when a “Pakistan Review” segment appeared on their screens around the fifth over of the match.
Hotstar showing Pakistan Review during New Zealand vs Afghanistan T20 match.#icc #T20WorldCup2026 #jiohotstar #hotstar #akashchopra pic.twitter.com/ws9meIbRXF
— Amit Goel (@amitgoel27) February 8, 2026
The unexpected display immediately sparked discussions on social media.
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This incident comes at a sensitive time, as Pakistan has already refused to play against India in the tournament.
Yesterday, an ICC delegation visited Lahore to request Pakistan to reconsider participating in the high-profile clash, meeting with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had officially informed the ICC that the national team would not play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo, following clear directives from the Government of Pakistan.
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This decision has turned one of cricket’s biggest tournaments into a mix of political tensions and sporting uncertainty.
Despite the uncertain future of the Pakistan-India match, Pakistani representation appearing on Indian screens during a completely unrelated match highlights the attention and concern the country still generates among Indian viewers.
Media reports indicate that Sri Lanka Cricket has urged Pakistan to reconsider its position, and the Emirates Cricket Board has also reportedly contacted the PCB regarding the matter.
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Meanwhile, New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by five wickets in the same match, continuing their T20 World Cup campaign.
