Decision taken after consultation between the Prime Minister and the head of the PCB; The team will not take the field during the meeting on February 15
Shaheen Shah Afridi, right, of Pakistan speaks to Abhishek Sharma of India and Shubman Gill of India during the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan will participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 but will not take the field in the highly anticipated match against India on February 15, the government announced on Sunday, confirming a politically sensitive decision ahead of the global tournament.
The announcement on the government’s official X account follows extensive deliberations between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He did not elaborate on the reasons for boycotting the India match.
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan authorizes the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team will not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15, 2026 against India,” the statement said.
The announcement also failed to clarify the implications if Pakistan and India advance to the knockout stage and face each other, leaving organizers and broadcasters in a state of uncertainty.
Observers have noted that, despite withdrawing from the match against India – and forgoing match points – Pakistan’s participation in the remainder of the tournament demonstrates a calibrated approach, avoiding a full boycott while asserting a political stance.
Experts said the boycott of the match against India reflects both long-standing geopolitical tensions and recent developments in the organization of the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
The mega-event is already under tension following Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland in the competition. Bangladesh had requested a change of venue for their India matches in Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.
However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the request, prompting Pakistan to express solidarity with Dhaka. Bangladesh’s withdrawal and Scotland’s inclusion have intensified debate over governance, fairness and security arrangements in international cricket.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign will now begin against Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, followed by matches against USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.
The cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan has always been the flagship event of the sport. Their meetings are traditionally the most commercially important matches in the ICC, and Pakistan’s refusal to participate in this tournament could have both financial and competitive consequences.
Analysts warn that the ICC may need to review points allocation, scheduling or even contingency plans for knockout scenarios if the two teams meet later in the tournament.
Since 2012, India has refused to confront Pakistan bilaterally. The two camps now only face each other in multinational events. Pakistan last toured India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and a three-match ODI series in 2012, while India has not toured Pakistan since 2008.
The last Asia Cup in 2025 further illustrated the tensions, with India beating Pakistan in three meetings, including the final, but refusing the usual handshakes and trophy presentations.
To accommodate political sensitivities, the ICC approved a hybrid model for matches involving India and Pakistan, stipulating that matches hosted by either country during the 2024-2027 rights cycle would be played at neutral venues.
This arrangement applies to the Men’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the Women’s ODI World Cup in India, the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 in Pakistan. For the current tournament, Pakistan’s matches are relocated to Sri Lanka.
The decision to boycott the match against India was influenced by Pakistan’s broader protest against inequalities in ICC decisions, particularly regarding Bangladesh. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi criticized the governing body’s handling of the venue dispute and Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament.
Financial considerations are important. The India-Pakistan match is the highest revenue-generating match of the tournament, and Pakistan’s withdrawal could result in a loss of points as well as a loss of commercial revenue.
Response from the ICC
The ICC issued a statement saying Pakistan’s decision to selectively participate in the World Cup “is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental principle of a global sporting event”, noting that it is awaiting an official communication from the PCB.
“Tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness. Selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” he said, urging the PCB to think about the long-term implications for cricket in Pakistan and its role in the global cricket ecosystem.
“While the ICC respects the role of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interests of world football or the well-being of fans around the world, including millions of people in Pakistan,” the governing body added.
The ICC emphasized that the success of the T20 World Cup is a responsibility shared by all member boards. The ICC encouraged a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan team, announced in late January, remains unchanged for the tournament and players are preparing for matches in Colombo. The Group A schedule features the Netherlands, USA and Namibia, with the top two teams advancing to the Super Eight stage.
PCB and government sources stress that the team’s preparation and participation in these matches remains a priority, with hopes of a strong campaign and potential title fight.
The tournament, featuring 20 teams and taking place from February 7 to March 8, is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka for the second time, following similar arrangements in 2016 and 2012. Previous winners include India (2007, 2024), England (2010, 2022), Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014) and Australia (2021).
(WITH THE CONCLUSION OF THE AGENCIES)
