Pakistan to play T20 World Cup but boycott match against India, government says

Pakistan announced it will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup but will boycott its Feb. 15 match against India in protest, citing solidarity with Bangladesh.

The Tribune International Posted on 3 days ago

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By Our Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government on Sunday announced that the national cricket team will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup but will not play its scheduled match against India on Feb. 15.

The Government of the 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.

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 1, 2026

The decision followed a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, during which the country’s participation in the global tournament was discussed at length.

In an official statement, the government said Pakistan would take part in all other fixtures of the tournament but would boycott the match against India as a protest gesture in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s objections and excluded the team from the event, replacing it with Scotland.

The development prompted criticism from several quarters in Pakistan.
Sources said the national team is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka on Monday to begin its T20 World Cup campaign, while the government continues to explain the reasons behind its decision not to face India in the group-stage match.