Pakistan to Boycott T20 World Cup Match Against India on February 15

Pakistan’s cricket team has received clearance to take part in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but the government has confirmed the team will not play its scheduled match against India on February 15.

In a statement released on Sunday, the government said Pakistan’s players would not take the field for the group-stage fixture against India. Officials did not explain the reason behind the decision.

Uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation intensified after the ICC removed Bangladesh from the tournament following a logistical dispute related to security concerns about playing in India. Scotland replaced Bangladesh in the competition.

Pakistan Confirms Boycott of India Match Despite World Cup Clearance

After Pakistan’s announcement, the ICC warned that selective participation threatens the integrity of international tournaments. The governing body said such a decision harms the global game and fans worldwide, including those in Pakistan, and confirmed it is awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The ICC also urged the PCB to consider the long-term consequences for cricket in Pakistan, stressing that the decision could affect the broader global cricket ecosystem.

The PCB expressed strong support for Bangladesh and criticised the ICC’s decision to expel a full member nation. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the board would delay its final decision on full participation in the tournament until later this week.

Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the issue. He later said authorities would make a final call either on Friday or next Monday.

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ICC Warns of Consequences as Pakistan Backs Bangladesh Amid Dispute

All of Pakistan’s World Cup matches are scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka due to ongoing political tensions between Pakistan and India. The tournament is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Naqvi accused the ICC of applying double standards, arguing that some nations receive preferential treatment. He said Pakistan took a stand to highlight what it views as an injustice toward Bangladesh, calling the country a major stakeholder in international cricket.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal supported the decision, saying politics has repeatedly interfered with cricket and damaged the spirit of the game.

The T20 World Cup features 20 teams, with Pakistan placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States. Pakistan begin their campaign on Saturday against the Netherlands in Colombo.

If Pakistan boycott the match against India, the team will forfeit two points. The absence of the high-profile fixture could also have significant financial consequences for the tournament, as India–Pakistan matches generate the largest global audiences.

Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012 and only meet in multinational tournaments. Under an agreement signed last year, both countries avoid travelling to each other for ICC events and instead compete at neutral venues.

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