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NEW DELHI: Pakistan has decided to boycott its group-stage match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played on February 15.
The decision was announced by the Government of Pakistan in an official post on social media platform X, stating that while approval has been granted for the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the tournament, it “shall not take the field” against India.
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India,” the statement read. No reason was cited for the decision.
Pakistan had last month announced its squad for the T20 World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka and will run from February 7 to March 8.
The development comes amid heightened political sensitivities surrounding the tournament. Last month, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to brief him on issues related to ICC decisions following Bangladesh’s refusal to tour India citing alleged security concerns.
Subsequently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament after the Bangladesh Cricket Board failed to confirm participation within the stipulated deadline. The ICC said independent security assessments found no credible or verifiable threat to teams playing in India and emphasised the need to preserve the integrity of the tournament schedule.
India, the defending champions, enter the World Cup in strong form after winning a five-match T20I series against New Zealand 4-1. Historically, India have dominated Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cups, winning seven of the eight encounters between the two teams.
Team India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. India will begin their campaign against the USA on February 7, followed by a match on February 12.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 begins on February 7.(Agencies)
