T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan to boycott match against India

In a surprising turn of events, the Pakistan government announced that the Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan team will boycott the clash against India, which is scheduled to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium

in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.

A post issued by the Government of Pakistan's official 'X' (formerly Twitter) account said the government had granted permission to the Pakistan team to travel to Sri Lanka for the tournament. However, it announced that "the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15 February 2026 against India". However, no specific reason was mentioned for the decision.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, had cast doubts over the Men in Green's participation in the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup after Bangladesh were expelled from the tournament by the ICC on January 24. This was after Bangladesh did not budge from their stance of not travelling to India to play matches in the marquee event. Instead, the Tigers requested that their games be shifted out of India.

Pakistan was the only country vocally supportive of Bangladesh's request for an alternate venue, and reacted to their removal by accusing the ICC of double standards, favouring India. He said the government would ultimately decide whether Pakistan were to take part in the tournament.

It was believed that Pakistan wouldn't boycott the entire tournament, but the game against India was always going to be their target. They are placed in Group A, alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA. The former champions are set to start their campaign on Saturday, February 7, in the first match of the T20 World Cup in Colombo. Ahead of this clash, they will face Ireland in their only warm-up game. This encounter will take place on Wednesday.

Pakistan will be looking to forget their debacle in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup and take confidence from their recent 3-0 drubbing of Australia at home.

More to follow...