Pakistan to boycott T20WC game against India

Pakistan on Sunday announced a boycott of its high-profile men's T20 World Cup group league match against India, a move that is likely to have serious repercussions even as the government cleared the national team's participation in the rest of the global event starting February 7. "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India," the government posted on social media.
The decision, conveyed through an official government statement, is being seen as a political protest linked to Bangladesh's removal from the tournament after the world body declined its request to shift matches from India to Sri Lanka on security grounds.  While a walkover would hand full points to India, the ICC retains the authority to impose financial penalties on the PCB. Pakistan had also postponed the team's jersey reveal for the Men's T20 World Cup, and it was understood that the event would take place once the verdict on the team's participation in the upcoming tournament was announced.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday night issued a hard-hitting statement, telling Pakistan to reconsider its decision to forfeit the T20 World Cup match against India, scheduled for Sunday, February 15, in Colombo. The two arch rivals are placed in Group A.While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule. ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions.