mm-news-@dmin The Government of Pakistan said. The team would not take the field in the match scheduled against India on February 15, 2026.
- Decision comes as ICC removes Bangladesh from tournament lineup.
- ICC chief Jay Shah criticised for partial, biased decisions: sources.
- Pakistan will play the T20 World Cup 2026 matches at neutral venues.
In an unprecedented move, Pakistan announced on Sunday. That it would participate in the T20 World Cup 2026; nevertheless, it would boycott the match against arch-rival India.
The decision was announced by the Government of Pakistan. Follows the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) removal of Bangladesh from the tournament. After Dhaka raised security concerns over playing in India.
“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 post on X.
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.
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 1, 2026
“…however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”
The reasons behind Pakistan’s decision not to play the T20 World Cup match against India on 15 February have come to light. Government sources told Geo News that the move aimed to show solidarity with Bangladesh.
They said multiple factors influenced the decision; the ICC’s perceived biased stance toward Bangladesh. Played a central role, and officials instructed the Pakistani team. Not to take the field against India on February 15 as a form of protest.
The sources said that ICC chief Jay Shah’s partial decisions had effectively turned the International Cricket Council into an extension of the Indian cricket board.
They further said that these biased decisions have undermined the principles of fairness and equality, accusing the ICC of applying different standards to different countries on its platform.
The development comes after the ICC rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to move their matches to a venue outside India.
The BCB had sought the change following the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). On the instructions of the Indian cricket board issued instructions, a move that sparked widespread outrage in Bangladesh.
However, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament on Saturday. Stating that it was not feasible to revise the schedule. So close to the February 7 start of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, under an existing arrangement between Pakistan and India, the Men in Green will play any ICC fixtures, including their T20 World Cup matches, at neutral venues.
For the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan’s matches are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka.
