In a colossal development that might backfire heavily, the Pakistan Government has denied permission to the Pakistan National Cricket Team to participate in the match against the India National Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
However, the government has given a green signal to the Salman Agha-led side to participate in the marquee tournament, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan officially boycott India clash
“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 official statement read.
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The Men In Green are placed in Group A of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 alongside India, USA, Namibia and Netherlands. They will open their campaign against Netherlands, in Colombo on February 7 followed by the match against USA on February 10.
Then, they will give India a walkover on February 15 before playing their final group stage game against Namibia on February 18.
As per the agreement signed between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan were assigned all their matches in Sri Lanka, but now a boycott call has shocked the cricket world.
Pakistan politicising cricket with shocking boycott
In an official statement, the Government of Pakistan, didn’t mention the reason behind boycotting the match against the India National Cricket Team. However, as per CNN-News18, it is being done as a protest for Bangladesh being dropped from the T20 World Cup.
“Pakistan’s decision is in solidarity with Bangladesh being dropped from the tournament after they decided against travelling to India,” the report read.
“As per sources, Pakistan have taken the decision not play the match against India after reviewing all situations and reviewing the wider diplomatic fallout. Sources have cited that Pakistan’s call for a boycott was due to political and regional sensitivities and to earn good relations with Bangladesh,” the same report revealed.
PCB keeps ICC in the dark about boycott
Another bombshell report in India Today has revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn’t convey any official word to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on their boycott decision.
“The International Cricket Council is yet to give an official word on the development. ICC sources told India Today that the board was not aware of any official word on this. India Today reached out to the Indian Cricket Board as well, who said that they have not received an official word at the moment,” the report read.
When Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha was asked to comment on the development in a press conference, he said “It is not our decision sir, we can’t do anything about it. We will only do the things told by our chairman and the government.”
