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LAHORE: Pakistan’s men’s cricket team is set to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, but will not play against arch-rivals India, the Government of Pakistan confirmed on Sunday.
The decision follows after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Pakistan were originally scheduled to play India on 15 February in the T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo.
The Government of Pakistan officially announced the decision on X post, stating that the Pakistan team would participate in the mega event, but also noted that the team would not take the field in the match scheduled for 15th February 2026 against India.
“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 post wrote.
For the unversed, speculation has been rife about Pakistan’s World Cup participation following the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejection of Bangladesh’s venue change request, which has led to the team’s boycott of the mega event.
On Monday, 25 January, Mohsin Naqvi met Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the potential withdrawal from the tournament.
“Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday,” he had written on his X account.
The situation surrounding Pakistan’s participation intensified on 24 January when the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament after they refused to travel to India, citing security concerns.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will commence on 7 February across India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will play the World Cup opener against the Netherlands on 7 February and have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals, the USA and Namibia.
Under the tournament’s hybrid model, Pakistan’s group-stage matches are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, even though India is one of the co-hosts.
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