The Government of Pakistan has officially announced that the national cricket team will boycott their scheduled T20 World Cup group match against India on February 15, 2026, dealing a significant blow to the tournaments credibility and sparking an immediate response from the International Cricket Council.
In a formal statement, Pakistani officials confirmed the team is approved to travel to Sri Lanka for the tournament but explicitly stated that the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15 February 2026 against India. The government did not specify reasons for the decision, though it follows weeks of tension after Bangladesh were removed from the tournament.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi had previously raised concerns about double standards in ICC decision-making, particularly after Bangladesh requested an alternate venue due to security concerns about playing in India. Pakistan was the only country that vocally supported Bangladeshs request, leading to speculation about political motivations behind the boycott.
The ICC issued a stern warning about the consequences of the boycott, stating that selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competition. Pakistan will forfeit two points from the match, and their net run rate will be negatively impacted, potentially jeopardizing their advancement to the knockout stages.
Pakistan are scheduled to play Netherlands on February 7, USA on February 10, and Namibia on February 18 in Group A. The teams performance in these matches will now be crucial for their tournament survival. Back-channel discussions are reportedly underway between cricket boards to find a resolution, though time is running short before the tournament begins.