In a major development ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan has announced that it will boycott its scheduled group stage match against India. The decision applies only to the India fixture, while Pakistan will continue to participate in the rest of the tournament.
The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan was scheduled to take place on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pakistan’s government has reportedly instructed the national team not to take the field for the game against India, citing political and diplomatic reasons. However, no detailed official explanation has been released.
Pakistan has been placed in Group A along with India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The team is expected to play its opening match against the Netherlands before the India fixture.
The move is unprecedented in the history of ICC tournaments, as India – Pakistan matches are among the most watched sporting events globally and generate massive fan interest and revenue. A boycott of such a high profile match could have serious implications for tournament scheduling, broadcasting arrangements, and group standings.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has not issued a separate statement beyond confirming that it will follow the government’s directive. The International Cricket Council is understood to be in discussions with both boards to assess the situation and determine the way forward under tournament regulations.
Cricket fans across the world have reacted strongly to the news, with many expressing disappointment over the possible loss of one of the biggest rivalries in international sport.
Further clarity is expected from the ICC regarding how the match will be treated in terms of points allocation and tournament rules if Pakistan officially withdraws from the fixture.
