Pakistan government says 'no' to India match in T20 World Cup

The Pakistan government has ordered the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not to play India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The decision was announced on Sunday evening, ending recent speculation. The government clarified that the team will still participate in the tournament, scheduled from February 7 to March 8. The PCB has not yet sent formal notice of this stance to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

A government statement said: "The Government of 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 announcement followed a meeting on Sunday evening between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore.

The PCB's decision is a protest against the ICC's refusal to move Bangladesh's World Cup matches out of India, a demand Pakistan strongly supported. The PCB was the sole advocate for Bangladesh's cause at the ICC Board meeting on the matter.

Attention now turns to the ICC's response. The boycott affects one of the tournament's most high-profile and commercially significant matches. The ICC has stated it has "taken note of the statement of the Pakistan government" and, while awaiting official confirmation from the PCB, expects the board to "explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders."

Pakistan is in Group A with the USA, Namibia, the Netherlands, and India. Their schedule is:

• February 7: vs Netherlands in Colombo (tournament opener)
• February 10: vs USA
• February 15: vs India
• February 18: vs Namibia

As per pre-tournament arrangements, all of Pakistan's group stage matches will be played in Sri Lanka, a joint host of the 20-team championship. The Pakistan team is scheduled to fly to Sri Lanka on Monday.