- Pakistan government says team will not play India in Group A clash on Feb 15.
- Match was scheduled in Colombo during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
- PCB yet to formally inform ICC of the boycott decision.
The Pakistan boycott India T20 World Cup match decision was confirmed by the Government of Pakistan, which stated that while the national team will travel to Sri Lanka for the tournament, it will not take the field against India on February 15, 2026.
The highly anticipated Group A clash between the two rivals was scheduled to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Official Statement from Pakistan Government
In a post on X, the government said:
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the World T20 2026, however the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take field in the match scheduled on 15 February 2026 against India.”
No official reason was provided in the statement.
PCB Yet to Inform ICC
Sources indicate that the Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet formally communicated this decision to the International Cricket Council.
The development introduces uncertainty over one of the tournament’s most watched fixtures.
Tensions and Security Context
Though the government has not publicly linked the decision to any event, reports suggest the move follows a recent terrorist attack in Balochistan. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also chairs the PCB, has publicly blamed India for the incident.
Naqvi had earlier indicated that the final decision on the India match would rest with the government after consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Tournament Participation Still On
Despite the boycott of the India fixture, Pakistan has confirmed participation in the rest of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be hosted in Sri Lanka.
Background: Neutral Venue Row and ICC Dispute
The issue comes after Pakistan supported Bangladesh’s request for a neutral venue earlier in the tournament cycle, accusing the ICC of double standards in favour of India.
Naqvi had stated that “all options were open” after discussions with the Prime Minister, hinting at the possibility of a political decision impacting cricketing commitments.
With the PCB yet to notify the ICC, the fate of the February 15 clash remains uncertain, raising fresh questions over the intersection of geopolitics and international sport.
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