T20 World Cup: Pakistan to boycott Group A fixture against India following Bangladesh's withdrawal from tournament
Pakistan will play in T20 World Cup after previously threatening full boycott - but will not take on India in Colombo on Sunday February 15; 2009 champions commit to playing other group games versus Netherlands, Namibia and USA; tournament is live on Sky Sports from February 7
Sunday 1 February 2026 18:11, UK
Pakistan will boycott their game against India in this month's T20 World Cup.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said last week that the team could pull out completely after Bangladesh were removed from the tournament for refusing to play their matches in India due to political tensions and security concerns.
Naqvi - who accused the ICC (International Cricket Council) of double standards and favouring India - said a final decision would be made after consultation with the government.
Pakistan will play in the competition but will not face India as scheduled in Colombo on Sunday February 15.
It remains unclear what punishment Pakistan could face, although under the rules of the previous tournament, the match would either be considered conceded or awarded to the opposition.
Previous ICC playing conditions dictate that Pakistan's net run-rate will be hit by the forfeiture but not India's.
A post on X from the Pakistan government on Sunday read: "The government... 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 February 15, 2026 against India."
Pakistan, T20 World Cup champions in 2009 and runners-up on two other occasions, will play their other Group A fixtures against Netherlands (February 7), USA (February 10) and Namibia (February 18).
The ICC ensures India and Pakistan are always in the same World Cup group as it is by far the most watched, and most lucrative, fixture in international cricket.
Pakistan and India have not faced each other outside of major events since 2013 due to political issues, with India not playing in Pakistan since 2008.
All of Pakistan's T20 World Cup matches will be played in Sri Lanka, including if they reach the semi-finals and/or final.
Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland - the next highest-ranked team not to have already qualified for the World Cup - with the European nation joining England, West Indies, Nepal and debutants Italy in Group C.
ICC releases statement
The International Cricket Council said it hoped a mutually acceptable resolution could be found.
The statement read: "The ICC notes the statement that the government of Pakistan has made regarding the decision to instruct its national team to selectively participate in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
"While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule.
"ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions.
"While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.
"The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of.
"The ICC's priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup which should also be the responsibility of all its members including the PCB. It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders."
Watch the Men's T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports from February 7 to March 8. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.
