The Pakistani government has approved the national cricket team’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 but has decided that Pakistan will not play its scheduled match against India on February 15, 2026.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an important meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, during which consultations were held on Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.
Following detailed deliberations, a statement issued by the Government of Pakistan confirmed that while the national team will compete in the ICC T20 World Cup, it will not take the field against India on the scheduled date.
The decision not to play against India was taken as a protest and to express solidarity with Bangladesh, the statement added.
Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected all reservations raised by Bangladesh and excluded the team from the event, replacing it with Scotland in the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan’s stance reflects its long-standing position of separating sports from bilateral political disputes, particularly in matches involving India.
In recent years, encounters between the two sides have largely been limited to ICC and multinational tournaments, with bilateral series remaining suspended.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to feature top international teams, with Pakistan entering the tournament as one of the former champions and strong contenders.
Source: Dunya News
