Pakistan to boycott T20 World Cup game against India but compete in tournament

Pakistan announces a boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India amid political tensions, but will compete in the tournament.

Pakistan on Sunday (February 1, 2026) announced a boycott of its high-profile men's T20 World Cup group league match against India, a move that is likely to have repercussions, even as the government cleared the national team's participation in the rest of the global event, starting February 7.

The decision, conveyed through an official government statement, is being seen as a political protest linked to Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament after the world body declined its request to shift matches from India to Sri Lanka on security grounds.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had said that it would reassess its participation following that decision as it showed solidarity with Bangladesh.

In a statement posted on its social media handle, the government of Pakistan said it has granted approval to the Pakistan cricket team to take part in the tournament, but said the team “shall not take the field” for the February 15 fixture against India in Colombo.

The decision brings an end to days of speculation over Pakistan's participation in the tournament, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and comes amid heightened political tensions in the region.

"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 government posted on social media..