Pakistan to boycott India match at T20 World Cup, ICC warns of fallout
Pakistan will play the T20 World Cup but will not play their match against India, confirmed the country's government on Sunday, February 1. Pakistan were set to clash against India on February 15 in Colombo.
In an unprecedented move, Pakistan on Sunday confirmed its participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 but announced that it will boycott its group-stage match against arch-rivals India. The decision was taken by the Government of Pakistan after the International Cricket Council (ICC) removed Bangladesh from the tournament following Dhaka’s refusal to play matches in India citing security concerns.
The development comes despite prior agreements between the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hold all India–Pakistan fixtures at neutral venues. Notably, the Pakistani government did not spell out a specific reason for opting out of the February 15 fixture against India.
Earlier, the PCB had publicly backed Bangladesh during an ICC vote that asked member nations to ratify Dhaka’s request for a venue change. Pakistan and Bangladesh were the only two boards to support the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), while 14 other nations rejected the request, stating that the security threat did not warrant a shift away from India.
What did Pakistan Say?
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026,” the government said in a statement posted on X.
However, it added that “the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”
What Did ICC Say?
In response to Pakistan’s announcement, the International Cricket Council expressed serious concern over the implications of a team choosing to participate selectively in a global tournament.
The ICC said it recognises the authority of governments in matters related to foreign policy, but underlined that directing a national side to skip a scheduled match is incompatible with the basic framework of an international sporting event. All teams that qualify for ICC tournaments are expected to compete under the same conditions and adhere to the agreed match schedule.
The governing body pointed out that ICC competitions are founded on principles of fairness, integrity and competitive balance, and warned that selective participation weakens those foundations and damages the credibility of the event.
While stating that it is still awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board, the ICC made it clear that such a decision does not serve the interests of the sport or its global fanbase, including supporters within Pakistan.
The ICC also urged the PCB to carefully assess the broader and long-term consequences of the move, noting that any disruption could have a ripple effect across the international cricket ecosystem, of which Pakistan is an active member and beneficiary.
Emphasising that its primary focus remains the smooth conduct of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC said delivering a successful tournament is a shared responsibility of all member boards. It expressed hope that the PCB would engage in discussions to find a solution acceptable to all parties involved.
The ICC’s Playing Conditions also outline clear consequences should Pakistan forfeit the match. A team that does not take the field is considered to have completed a full 20-over innings, with those overs included in the calculation of run rate.
Such a forfeit would lead to a sharp drop in Pakistan’s Net Run Rate, potentially affecting their group-stage standing and qualification prospects.
What is India's Stance?
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to issue an official statement, it is reliably learnt that the board is awaiting formal communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the matter.
According to top sources, the Indian team will proceed strictly as per ICC protocol. The side is expected to travel to Sri Lanka as scheduled and carry out its routine pre-match preparations, including training sessions and the mandatory pre-match press conference. India will arrive at the R Premadasa Stadium at the designated time on match day and will wait for the match referee to take a call on calling off the fixture should Pakistan choose not to take the field.
Pakistan Boycott India: Will ICC Take a Hit?
The India–Pakistan clash remains the most lucrative fixture in global cricket. To capitalise on that appeal, the ICC have placed the two teams in the same group at every major tournament since 2012, even as worsening diplomatic relations have ruled out bilateral cricket for the last 14 years.
If Pakistan maintain their stance, the T20 World Cup 2026 will become the first men’s ICC tournament since 2010 not to feature an India–Pakistan match. And this will open ground for ICC to take severe actions against Pakistan.
Sources close to ICC had told HT that the decision to boycott the India game could directly reflect on their earnings from the tournament.
“As a direct consequence, PCB’s share of ICC annual revenue [estimated at around $34.5 million], would be withheld,” an official had said.
India vs Pakistan Controversy: A Timeline
Relations between the PCB and BCCI have been strained for a long time. Things escalated last year after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Matters worsened during the Asia Cup 2025, when Indian players declined to shake hands with Pakistan in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam.
The situation intensified after Bangladesh wrote to the ICC, stating that it would not travel to India due to alleged security concerns. Reports from Pakistan suggested that the PCB reached out to the BCB, offering to host Bangladesh’s matches instead. However, the ICC put a cap on that matter, dismissing Bangladesh's request.
The PCB also attempted to pressure the ICC and BCCI by withholding confirmation of its travel plans until February 1, setting the stage for the standoff that has now spilt into the T20 World Cup.
In an unprecedented move, Pakistan on Sunday confirmed its participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 but announced that it will boycott its group-stage match against arch-rivals India. The decision was taken by the Government of Pakistan after the International Cricket Council (ICC) removed Bangladesh from the tournament following Dhaka’s refusal to play matches in India citing security concerns.
The development comes despite prior agreements between the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hold all India–Pakistan fixtures at neutral venues. Notably, the Pakistani government did not spell out a specific reason for opting out of the February 15 fixture against India.
Earlier, the PCB had publicly backed Bangladesh during an ICC vote that asked member nations to ratify Dhaka’s request for a venue change. Pakistan and Bangladesh were the only two boards to support the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), while 14 other nations rejected the request, stating that the security threat did not warrant a shift away from India.
What did Pakistan Say?
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026,” the government said in a statement posted on X.
However, it added that “the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”
What Did ICC Say?
In response to Pakistan’s announcement, the International Cricket Council expressed serious concern over the implications of a team choosing to participate selectively in a global tournament.
The ICC said it recognises the authority of governments in matters related to foreign policy, but underlined that directing a national side to skip a scheduled match is incompatible with the basic framework of an international sporting event. All teams that qualify for ICC tournaments are expected to compete under the same conditions and adhere to the agreed match schedule.
The governing body pointed out that ICC competitions are founded on principles of fairness, integrity and competitive balance, and warned that selective participation weakens those foundations and damages the credibility of the event.
While stating that it is still awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board, the ICC made it clear that such a decision does not serve the interests of the sport or its global fanbase, including supporters within Pakistan.
The ICC also urged the PCB to carefully assess the broader and long-term consequences of the move, noting that any disruption could have a ripple effect across the international cricket ecosystem, of which Pakistan is an active member and beneficiary.
Emphasising that its primary focus remains the smooth conduct of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC said delivering a successful tournament is a shared responsibility of all member boards. It expressed hope that the PCB would engage in discussions to find a solution acceptable to all parties involved.
The ICC’s Playing Conditions also outline clear consequences should Pakistan forfeit the match. A team that does not take the field is considered to have completed a full 20-over innings, with those overs included in the calculation of run rate.
Such a forfeit would lead to a sharp drop in Pakistan’s Net Run Rate, potentially affecting their group-stage standing and qualification prospects.
What is India's Stance?
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to issue an official statement, it is reliably learnt that the board is awaiting formal communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the matter.
According to top sources, the Indian team will proceed strictly as per ICC protocol. The side is expected to travel to Sri Lanka as scheduled and carry out its routine pre-match preparations, including training sessions and the mandatory pre-match press conference. India will arrive at the R Premadasa Stadium at the designated time on match day and will wait for the match referee to take a call on calling off the fixture should Pakistan choose not to take the field.
Pakistan Boycott India: Will ICC Take a Hit?
The India–Pakistan clash remains the most lucrative fixture in global cricket. To capitalise on that appeal, the ICC have placed the two teams in the same group at every major tournament since 2012, even as worsening diplomatic relations have ruled out bilateral cricket for the last 14 years.
If Pakistan maintain their stance, the T20 World Cup 2026 will become the first men’s ICC tournament since 2010 not to feature an India–Pakistan match. And this will open ground for ICC to take severe actions against Pakistan.
Sources close to ICC had told HT that the decision to boycott the India game could directly reflect on their earnings from the tournament.
“As a direct consequence, PCB’s share of ICC annual revenue [estimated at around $34.5 million], would be withheld,” an official had said.
India vs Pakistan Controversy: A Timeline
Relations between the PCB and BCCI have been strained for a long time. Things escalated last year after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Matters worsened during the Asia Cup 2025, when Indian players declined to shake hands with Pakistan in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam.
The situation intensified after Bangladesh wrote to the ICC, stating that it would not travel to India due to alleged security concerns. Reports from Pakistan suggested that the PCB reached out to the BCB, offering to host Bangladesh’s matches instead. However, the ICC put a cap on that matter, dismissing Bangladesh's request.
The PCB also attempted to pressure the ICC and BCCI by withholding confirmation of its travel plans until February 1, setting the stage for the standoff that has now spilt into the T20 World Cup.