Pakistan has officially announced it will boycott its much-anticipated group-stage match against India at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking a rare interruption in one of cricket’s most intense rivalries.
In a statement posted on the Government of Pakistan’s official X account, authorities confirmed that the national team has been granted permission to travel to Sri Lanka for the tournament. However, it added that “the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15 February 2026 against India.” No specific reason was provided for the decision.
The move follows weeks of uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s participation, especially after Bangladesh was removed from the competition over security concerns related to playing in India. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi had earlier criticised the ICC for alleged “double standards” and indicated that the final call would rest with the government.
Despite the boycott, Pakistan will continue competing in the tournament and play all its matches in Sri Lanka, a co-host alongside India. Placed in Group A with India, Netherlands, USA, and Namibia, Pakistan will open its campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by matches against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.
If Pakistan officially forfeits the India fixture, it will automatically lose two points, potentially impacting its qualification hopes. The ICC has not yet clarified what will happen if the two teams meet later in the knockout stages.
The development also means the 2026 T20 World Cup could become the first men’s ICC event in over a decade to proceed without an India–Pakistan group-stage encounter — a major blow to broadcasters and fans alike.
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