T20 World Cup: Pakistan to boycott February 15 match against India, ICC warns consequences
The decision comes despite earlier understandings between the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that all India–Pakistan matches would be held at neutral venues.
PTC News Desk: In a first-of-its-kind decision, Pakistan on Sunday confirmed that it will take part in the T20 World Cup 2026 but will boycott its group-stage match against arch-rivals India. The move was announced by the Pakistan government after the International Cricket Council (ICC) dropped Bangladesh from the tournament following Dhaka’s refusal to play matches in India over security concerns.
The decision comes despite earlier understandings between the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that all India–Pakistan matches would be held at neutral venues. Notably, the Pakistani government did not provide a specific explanation for pulling out of the February 15 match against India. Previously, the PCB had openly supported Bangladesh during an ICC vote on Dhaka’s request to shift venues. Pakistan and Bangladesh were the only two boards to back the proposal, while 14 other member nations voted against it, arguing that the perceived security risks did not justify moving matches out of 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.
Reacting to Pakistan’s announcement, the ICC expressed serious concern over the implications of a team opting to participate selectively in a global tournament.
While acknowledging that governments have authority over foreign policy matters, the ICC stressed that instructing a national team to skip a scheduled fixture runs counter to the fundamental structure of international sporting competitions. The governing body reiterated that all teams qualifying for ICC events are required to compete under uniform conditions and adhere to the agreed schedule.
The ICC also emphasised that its tournaments are built on the principles of fairness, integrity and competitive balance, warning that selective participation undermines these values and erodes the credibility of the competition.