Pakistan has announced it will boycott its group-stage match against India at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, triggering a major political and sporting standoff just days before the tournament begins.
In a statement posted on X, the Government of Pakistan said it had approved the national team’s participation in the tournament but confirmed that the side “shall not take the field” for the match scheduled against India on February 15, 2026. No reason was provided for the decision.
The announcement comes despite Pakistan having named its squad last month for the tournament, which will be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Pakistan and India are drawn together in Group A, alongside Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States.
The International Cricket Council responded within hours, warning that “selective participation” undermines the integrity of global tournaments and urging the Pakistan Cricket Board to find a resolution.
“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,” the ICC said, adding that such a move was “not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide”.
The ICC said it was awaiting formal communication from the PCB but stressed that all member nations share responsibility for the successful delivery of the tournament.
The decision has revived tensions surrounding the World Cup, following last month’s controversy involving Bangladesh. The ICC removed Bangladesh from the tournament after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to send its team to India, citing security concerns. After a three-week review process involving independent security assessments, the ICC concluded there was no credible threat and rejected requests to relocate matches. Scotland was subsequently named as Bangladesh’s replacement.
Pakistan’s stance comes despite a history of poor results against India in the T20 World Cup. The two sides have met eight times in the competition, with India holding a dominant 7–1 record. India also swept Pakistan in last year’s Asia Cup, including a comprehensive win in the final.
On the field, India enters the tournament in strong form, having recently defeated New Zealand 4–1 in a five-match T20I series. Pakistan, meanwhile, face mounting scrutiny after inconsistent performances and internal uncertainty ahead of the World Cup.
India is scheduled to open their campaign against the USA on February 7, followed by a match against the Netherlands on February 12. Pakistan’s opening fixture is against Namibia.
The ICC warned that Pakistan’s decision could have long-term consequences, noting that selective participation risks setting a precedent that could damage the neutrality and fairness of future events.
While the ICC acknowledged the role of governments in national policy decisions, it said it expects the PCB to “explore a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders”.
With the tournament just days away, uncertainty now hangs over one of cricket’s most high-profile rivalries, raising fresh questions about the intersection of politics and sport on the global stage.
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