India is set to travel to Colombo for their T20 World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan on February 15, despite the latter's decision to boycott the game. Sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed that the team will adhere to all ICC-mandated protocols on the match day.

According to an ANI report, the Indian squad will treat the day as any other match day, which includes attending scheduled training sessions and the pre-match press conference. The team will also arrive at the stadium in Colombo on time. In the event that Pakistan does not take the field, the Indian team will wait for the match referee to officially call off the fixture.

The Government of Pakistan made their stance public through an official statement on social media, clarifying that while the national team has been permitted to participate in the T20 World Cup, they will not play against India. While the statement did not explicitly state the reason for the boycott, it is believed to be due to Bangladesh's removal from the World Cup.

Sources within the BCCI have stated that India's approach is to strictly adhere to ICC guidelines. By being fully prepared, India aims to ensure there are no procedural lapses from their side, thereby placing the responsibility squarely on the opposition and tournament officials.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi criticized the ICC for "double standards" and alleged it was influenced by the BCCI. This announcement followed a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PCB Chairman Naqvi. Pakistan had reconsidered its participation in the tournament after the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, following the Bangladesh Cricket Board's refusal to tour India.

India, the defending champions, are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA. India will commence their campaign against the USA on February 7, followed by another group fixture on February 12. The India-Pakistan match was expected to be one of the marquee events of the tournament.