Sports, Feb 2: Pakistan has confirmed that its national men’s team will take part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and travel to Sri Lanka for the tournament, but the announcement has been overshadowed by Islamabad’s firm decision to skip the high-profile group match against India scheduled for February 15.
The Pakistan government, in a statement issued on its official X account on February 1, said it had approved the team’s participation in the World Cup but made it clear that Pakistan would not play the match against India. While the statement did not spell out the reasons for the boycott, the move effectively means Pakistan will forfeit the fixture. Under ICC regulations, the decision will cost Pakistan two crucial points and adversely affect its net run rate, while India’s standings will remain unchanged.
Breaking the silence from the players’ side, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha clarified that the call to avoid the India match was taken outside the dressing room. Speaking at a press conference after a match against Australia, Agha stressed that the squad had no role in the decision and would comply with instructions from the government and the Pakistan Cricket Board. He reiterated that the team remained committed to competing in the rest of the tournament but was bound to follow official directives.
The development drew a swift response from the International Cricket Council, which said it had taken note of the Pakistan government’s position but was awaiting formal communication from the PCB. The ICC expressed unease over the prospect of selective participation, noting that global tournaments are founded on the principle that all qualified teams compete according to the published schedule.
In its statement, the ICC emphasised that sporting integrity, fairness and consistency are central to international competitions, and warned that opting out of specific fixtures undermines the spirit of the game. While acknowledging that governments may take decisions based on national policy, the council said such a move was not in the best interests of world cricket or its fan base, including supporters in Pakistan. It also cautioned that the decision could have long-term consequences for Pakistan cricket and the broader global ecosystem.
Reaffirming its commitment to the smooth conduct of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the governing body said maintaining the integrity of the tournament is a shared responsibility and expressed hope that Pakistan’s cricket authorities would work towards a resolution acceptable to all stakeholders.
With the India–Pakistan contest regarded as one of the most anticipated fixtures in international cricket, the ICC’s intervention has intensified scrutiny of the situation, even as uncertainty continues to hang over how the issue will be addressed before the tournament begins.
