Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about the potential long-term consequences of any decision to boycott matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, following the Pakistan government’s announcement that the national team will not play India in their scheduled Group A fixture on February 15 in Colombo.
In a strongly worded statement issued hours after the government’s social media post, the ICC said it was yet to receive official communication from the PCB but expressed concern over the idea of “selective participation” in a global tournament. The ICC stressed that all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms in accordance with the tournament schedule.
“ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” the statement said. While acknowledging the role of governments in national policy matters, the ICC added that such a move was not in the interests of the global game or the welfare of cricket fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.
The ICC urged the PCB to reflect on the “significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country,” warning that the decision could impact the wider global cricket ecosystem, of which Pakistan is a member and beneficiary. It reiterated that the successful delivery of the T20 World Cup is a shared responsibility of all member boards and called on the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.
Pakistan’s participation in the tournament had come under question earlier after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi indicated that the government would take the final call, particularly after Bangladesh were removed from the tournament on January 24 following their refusal to play in India due to security concerns.
Pakistan had supported Bangladesh’s request for an alternative venue and later accused the ICC of double standards favouring India.
The India–Pakistan clash on February 15 is expected to be the most commercially lucrative group-stage match of the tournament.
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, Netherlands and the USA, and are scheduled to play all their matches in Sri Lanka, a co-host of the event along with India.
They open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by matches against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.
Under ICC Playing Conditions, a boycott would result in Pakistan forfeiting the two points from the India match, with their net run rate also taking a hit. India’s net run rate would remain unaffected in the event of a forfeit.
Source: ICC, ESPN
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