Pakistan's cricket team is heading to the T20 World Cup 2026 under a cloud of uncertainty, following the government's decision to boycott their high-profile match against India scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The move has drawn criticism from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has warned of potential sanctions, casting a shadow over Pakistan's participation in the tournament.
The Government of Pakistan announced on Sunday, February 1, 2026, that while the team is approved to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, they will not play against India. The decision is seen as a political protest, reportedly linked to Bangladesh's removal from the tournament after the ICC declined their request to move matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. Pakistan's cricket chief, Mohsin Naqvi, had previously hinted at a potential boycott in solidarity with Bangladesh.
The ICC has expressed its disappointment with Pakistan's decision, stating that it undermines the integrity, competitiveness, consistency, and fairness of the tournament. The governing body also noted that this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans, including those in Pakistan. The ICC hopes that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in their country, as this could impact the global cricket ecosystem. According to reports, the ICC may hold a meeting within 48 hours to decide Pakistan's fate in the tournament.
If Pakistan boycotts the match against India, they would forfeit two points. Moreover, under previous ICC playing conditions, Pakistan's net run-rate would be negatively affected by the forfeiture. It is unclear what would happen if the two teams were to meet later in the tournament.
This boycott has sparked reactions, with some suggesting that Pakistan might reverse its decision due to mounting pressure from the global cricket community and former players. Sunil Gavaskar, the former India captain, pointed out that Pakistani cricketers have a history of making U-turns on their decisions, and a similar situation might unfold before February 15.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to commence on February 7 and run until March 8, with matches being held in India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan is placed in Group A and is set to play against the Netherlands on February 7, the United States of America on February 10, and Namibia on February 18, in addition to the now-boycotted match against India. The boycott of the India match is a blow to the tournament, as matches between the two nations are highly anticipated and generate significant revenue.