The Government of of Pakistan has granted approval for the national cricket team to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. However, the clearance comes with a key condition: Pakistan will not take the field in its scheduled match against India on February 15, 2026.
"The government of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the Twenty20 World Cup, however, the Pakistan team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February against India," a Pakistan government release said.
The Pakistan team are now expected to fly to Colombo on Monday afternoon after a week of uncertainty following Bangladesh’s expulsion from the tournament. The delay had raised questions over Pakistan’s participation and travel plans ahead of the World Cup.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had earlier declined to clarify whether Pakistan would refuse to play India in Colombo — the tournament’s most lucrative fixture — but the Shehbaz Sharif–led coalition government confirmed its decision on Sunday, bringing clarity to the situation.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held from February 7 to March 8, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with 20 teams taking part in the tournament.
Naqvi hinted last week at an outright boycott of the event in protest over the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to reject Bangladesh's demands to relocate their matches from India to Sri Lanka over security fears.
Bangladesh's demands were voted down by ICC Board members after a weeks-long standoff, with Pakistan the only country siding with them.
The ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland last Saturday, drawing a fierce reaction from Naqvi, who criticised the governing body for double standards.
Pakistan's refusal to play against India -- who they have already played at neutral venues in Sri Lanka --- will have severe financial implications.
Pakistan and India have not played in any bilateral cricket since 2012 and only face each other in multi-nation events.
Under a deal signed last year, India and Pakistan agreed not to travel to each other's countries in cases where either hosts an ICC event, instead playing at neutral venues.
Pakistan open their campaign against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7 in Group A, which also includes arch-rivals India, the United States and Namibia.
With additional input from AFP.
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