US EditionPakistan says cricket team will boycott T20 World Cup match against India
Pakistan will forfeit its group match against India at the T20 World Cup due to government directive amid political tensions, with India awarded two points for the walkover.
- On Sunday, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan approved the Pakistan national cricket team for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 but ordered the team not to play India on February 15, 2026, saying it `shall not take the field` in Colombo.
- Bangladesh's removal from India-hosted matches prompted Pakistan's protest after Bangladesh national cricket team was replaced by Scotland on January 24, 2026, and Pakistan accused the ICC of `double standards`.
- A boycott would trigger a forfeit, giving India two points and applying Clause 16.10.7, which counts the full 20 overs when calculating Pakistan cricket team's net run rate.
- The ICC warned the Pakistan Cricket Board to consider long-term implications and urged it to `explore a mutually acceptable resolution` as broadcasters risk major eight-figure revenue losses.
- Pakistan's group schedule lists matches on February 7, February 10 and February 18, all in Sri Lanka during the February 7 to March 8, 2026 tournament, with knockout match scenarios against India unresolved.
137 Articles
137 Articles
It would have been the cricket highlight of this year's World Cup: the group match between arch-rivals Pakistan and India. But Pakistan has now decided: without us. A political protest appears to be behind this. By F. Amler.
The ICC is preparing to take a serious stance on Pakistan's threat to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India. If Pakistan does not play the match, it will not only lose points and net run rate, but could also face severe financial and cricketing sanctions from the ICC.
Associated Press News
Pakistan departs for T20 World Cup while waiting for ICC reaction to India game boycott
Pakistan has left for Sri Lanka to participate in the T20 World Cup. This comes a day after the International Cricket Council criticized Pakistan's government for instructing its team to boycott a group game against India.
ICC Reacts to Pakistan's Decision of Boycotting T20 World Cup 2026 Match Against India | 🏏 LatestLY
The ICC also said it was still awaiting official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on this. “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. 🏏 ICC Reacts to Pakistan's Decision of Boycotting T20 World Cup 2026 Match Against India.
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