Pakistan to participate in T20 World Cup but boycott group match against India on Feb 15 

Islamabad (Web Desk): In a move that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, Pakistan has confirmed it will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 but will boycott its scheduled match against India.

The decision followed high-level consultations between Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval for the Pakistan Cricket Team to take part in the ICC World T20 2026,” an official statement posted on X read. “However, the team will not take the field in the match against India scheduled for February 15, 2026.”

Sources familiar with the matter said the decision reflects Pakistan’s solidarity with Bangladesh. Central to this move is frustration over the ICC’s perceived bias toward India and against Bangladesh, which officials say undermines fairness in the sport.

They accused ICC chief Jay Shah of favouring India, effectively turning the council into an extension of the Indian cricket board. The team was reportedly instructed to skip the India match as a “form of protest” against these decisions.

Speaking after Pakistan’s clean sweep of Australia in the three-match T20I series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha confirmed the team would follow the government’s directive.

“We are going to the World Cup, and we will act according to the instructions of our cricket board,” he said. On the India game, he added, “The decision not to play is the government’s call.”

The boycott comes after the ICC denied Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request to move its matches out of India. The BCB had sought the change following the removal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League on directives from the Indian cricket board, sparking widespread criticism in Bangladesh.

The ICC subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the tournament, citing logistical challenges with revising the schedule so close to the February 7 start of the World Cup.

Under an existing agreement between Pakistan and India, Pakistan’s ICC matches are to be played at neutral venues, and the Men in Green will have their World Cup fixtures in Sri Lanka.

The ICC responded with concern, noting that selective participation challenges the core principles of a global sporting event.

“While we await official communication from the PCB, this position is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise that all qualified teams compete on equal terms,” the ICC said.

The governing body warned that skipping matches undermines the spirit of competition, which relies on fairness, integrity, and consistency.

While emphasizing respect for governmental decisions, the ICC stressed that Pakistan’s stance is not in the best interest of the global game or millions of fans, including those in Pakistan.

The council urged the PCB to consider the long-term implications of this choice for cricket within the country and across the international stage.

The ICC reaffirmed that the successful delivery of the T20 World Cup is a shared responsibility of all its member boards, including Pakistan.