The Pakistan government announced on Sunday (February 1) that their national team would boycott the 2026 T20 World Cup match against India, a decision which the ICC has criticised. Find all the latest updates on this developing story here.
Pakistan to boycott India game at T20 World Cup
On Sunday (Februrary 1), the Pakistan government announced that while it was granting permission to the national team to appear at the 2026 T20 World Cup, they wouldn't be playing their group-stage match 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.
What's the backdrop?
This comes on the back of the ICC replacing Bangladesh with Scotland at the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, following the former's demand of shifting its scheduled matches out of India to Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chair Mohsin Naqvi had accused the ICC, chaired currently by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, of "double standards" for not allowing Bangladesh a change of venue after a similar request by India during the 2025 Champions Trophy was granted approval.
Having threatened to pull out of the tournament entirely, Pakistan are now set to compete, but boycott their group-stage match against India.
Pakistan's T20 World Cup boycott and ICC's response, live updates
What impact will it have on Pakistan's Super Eights qualification chances?
While the official playing conditions for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup are not out yet, if the regulations are similar to the previous edition, Pakistan are set to lose out on two potential points and their net run rate is going to take a hit as well.
They'll essentially be restricted to playing three league games instead of four - against Namibia, Netherlands, and the USA, reducing the room for error.
Complete ICC response
The ICC notes the statement that the government of Pakistan has made regarding the decision to instruct its national team to selectively participate in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule.
ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions.
While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.
The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of.
The ICC's priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup which should also be the responsibility of all its members including the PCB. It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.
ICC responds to Pakistan's selective participation
The ICC has responded to Pakistan's stance of not playing against India at the 2026 T20 World Cup, criticising the move and calling on the PCB to consider the "significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country".
PCB yet to officially communicat decision to ICC
As of now, the decision of the boycott has only been publicly announced by the Pakistan government, and the PCB is yet to officially communicate the same to the ICC.
Pakistan will take part in the 2026 T20 World Cup, but will boycott their group stage match against India following an announcement from the Pakistan government.
Pakistan government announces boycott of India game
On February 1, the Pakistan government announced that the Pakistan cricket team wouldn't take the field against India at the T20 World Cup.
