Pakistan to boycott T20WC game against India but compete in tournament; ICC releases statement

Pakistan on Sunday officially announced that it will boycott its ICC T20 World Cup group-stage clash against India, even as the government cleared the national team's participation for the rest of the tournament, which begins on February 7.

The move is being widely viewed as a symbolic protest following the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after rejecting Bangladesh’s request to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns.

In a statement posted on its verified social media handle, the government of Pakistan said it has granted approval to the Pakistan cricket team to take part in the tournament but said the team "shall not take the field" for the February 15 fixture against India in Colombo.


The announcement puts an end to days of uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s involvement in the competition, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and comes against the backdrop of escalating political tensions in the region.

“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,” the government posted on social media.

Earlier, the PCB had stated that the final call on the team’s participation would rest with the government following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament.

Meanwhile ICC (International Cricket Council) released the statement regarding the development.

"The ICC notes the statement that the government of Pakistan has made regarding the decision to instruct its national team to selectively participate in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026," the release read.

"While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule," it further said.

ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions, it added.

"While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan."

The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of.

"The ICC's priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup which should also be the responsibility of all its members including the PCB. It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders," the Council concluded.

[With PTI inputs]