Pakistan will take part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 but will boycott its group-stage match against India scheduled for February 15, following a decision approved by the federal government on Sunday. The announcement settles weeks of uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the tournament, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
In a statement posted on its official X account, the Government of Pakistan said it had cleared the national team to compete in the event but specified that the team “shall not take the field” against India. The decision means Pakistan boycott India T20 World Cup match while remaining active in the rest of the competition, a move with sporting and commercial implications for the tournament.
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Tournament participation confirmed, India match forfeited
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India, Netherlands, USA and Namibia. In line with Pakistan’s policy of not touring India due to longstanding geopolitical tensions, all of Pakistan’s group matches are scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka.
The team will open its campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by fixtures against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18. The February 15 match against India will be forfeited, resulting in Pakistan losing two points. Under ICC playing conditions, Pakistan’s net run rate will also be affected by the forfeit, while India’s will not.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has yet to formally notify the International Cricket Council of the decision.
Significance for the World Cup
An India-Pakistan match is widely regarded as the most commercially valuable fixture in international cricket and typically draws the largest global television audience at ICC events. Since 2012, the ICC has consistently placed the two teams in the same group to ensure they meet during the group stage of major tournaments.
If the boycott proceeds as announced, the 2026 edition will be the first men’s ICC tournament since 2010 not to feature an India-Pakistan group-stage match. The ICC has not yet commented on whether any contingency plans will be considered should the two teams be drawn together later in the knockout stages.
Background to the decision
Questions over Pakistan’s participation intensified last month after Bangladesh were removed from the tournament following their refusal to travel to India over security concerns. Pakistan publicly supported Bangladesh’s request for an alternative venue and criticised the ICC’s handling of the issue.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi later said the final decision would rest with the government after consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. While a complete withdrawal from the tournament was considered, officials indicated Pakistan was more likely to limit its protest to the match against India.
The government’s statement on Sunday confirms that approach, allowing Pakistan to compete in the World Cup while formally opting out of the high-profile fixture against India.
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