In an unprecedented move, Pakistan on Sunday confirmed its participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 but announced that it will boycott its group-stage match against arch-rivals India. The decision was taken by the Government of Pakistan after the International Cricket Council (ICC) removed Bangladesh from the tournament following Dhaka’s refusal to play matches in India citing security concerns.
The development comes despite prior agreements between the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hold all India–Pakistan fixtures at neutral venues. Notably, the Pakistani government did not spell out a specific reason for opting out of the February 15 fixture against India.
Earlier, the PCB had publicly backed Bangladesh during an ICC vote that asked member nations to ratify Dhaka’s request for a venue change. Pakistan and Bangladesh were the only two boards to support the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), while 14 other nations rejected the request, stating that the security threat did not warrant a shift away from 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.
However, it added that “the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”
What Did ICC Say?
The ICC is yet to issue an official statement on Pakistan’s announcement. ICC sources told India Today that the board had not received any formal communication on the matter. The BCCI, too, confirmed that it is yet to be officially informed.
If Pakistan follow through on their decision, the consequences could be significant. As per the ICC’s Playing Conditions, a team that forfeits a match is deemed to have played a full 20-over innings. Those overs are counted while calculating the team’s average runs per over, resulting in a severe dent to their Net Run Rate.
Pakistan Boycott India: Will ICC Take a Hit?
The India–Pakistan clash remains the most lucrative fixture in global cricket. To capitalise on that appeal, the ICC have placed the two teams in the same group at every major tournament since 2012, even as worsening diplomatic relations have ruled out bilateral cricket for the last 14 years.
If Pakistan maintain their stance, the T20 World Cup 2026 will become the first men’s ICC tournament since 2010 not to feature an India–Pakistan match. And this will open ground for ICC to take severe actions against Pakistan.
Sources close to ICC had told HT that the decision to boycott the India game could directly reflect on their earnings from the tournament.
“As a direct consequence, PCB’s share of ICC annual revenue [estimated at around $34.5 million], would be withheld,” an official had said.
India vs Pakistan Controversy: A Timeline
Relations between the PCB and BCCI have been strained for a long time. Things escalated last year after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Matters worsened during the Asia Cup 2025, when Indian players declined to shake hands with Pakistan in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam.
The situation intensified after Bangladesh wrote to the ICC, stating that it would not travel to India due to alleged security concerns. Reports from Pakistan suggested that the PCB reached out to the BCB, offering to host Bangladesh’s matches instead. However, the ICC put a cap on that matter, dismissing Bangladesh's request.
The PCB also attempted to pressure the ICC and BCCI by withholding confirmation of its travel plans until February 1, setting the stage for the standoff that has now spilt into the T20 World Cup.
