Pakistan to boycott T20WC game against India but compete in tournament

Pakistan on Sunday officially announced its decision to boycott the crucial ICC T20 World Cup group league match against India even as the government allowed the national team’s participation in the remainder of the tournament from February 7.The Pakistani government’s decision is being perceived as a sign of protest after the ICC transferred Bangladesh to Scotland and refused to accept Scotland’s request to shift their matches from India to Sri Lanka for security reasons.

In a statement posted on its verified social media account, the Pakistani government said it has given permission to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the tournament but the team “will not field” for their match against India in Colombo on February 15.
The decision ends days of speculation about Pakistan’s participation in the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka and comes at a time of rising political tensions in the region.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan approves the participation of the Pakistan Cricket Team in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan Cricket Team will not field the scheduled match against India on 15 February 2026,” the government said on social media. he said.

PCB had said that after Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament, the government will decide on the team’s participation in the tournament.