Pakistan will not play India in their scheduled Men's T20 World Cup match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15, after the government granted the team conditional approval to take part in the tournament.
The statement did not specify a reason for that decision, though it is believed that Pakistan will boycott the match against India to show solidarity with Bangladesh, who were pulled out of Men's T20 World Cup for seeking relocation of their matches out of India, citing security issues and were replaced by Scotland in Group C.
"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," said the government's official account on 'X' account.
Just shortly after this announcement, Agha was asked for his take on the matter, and he responded that the players did not take the call. He stated that whatever the government tells them to do, they will follow it.
"The Pakistan team has been instructed not to play the February 15 match against India as a protest," Geo News quoted a source as saying.
"The principles of justice and equality have been shattered by biased decisions," the source added.
Earlier this week, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and it was then that he announced that the final decision on Pakistan's participation would be taken on either January 30 or February 2. However, the final verdict was announced a day earlier, which now leaves the tournament on the edge of a fresh problem, considering the revenue coming from the marquee clash.
Pakistan had also postponed the team's jersey reveal for the Men's T20 World Cup, and it was understood that the event would take place once the verdict on the team's participation in the upcoming tournament was announced.
Pakistan, the 2009 edition winners, are in Group A for the T20 World Cup alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA. The Salman Ali Agha-led side will begin their campaign on February 7 against the Netherlands in Colombo.
Pakistan to travel to Colombo today
The Pakistan contingent for the T20 World Cup will travel to Sri Lanka on Monday, February 2. The team will begin its preparations with a warm-up match against Ireland on Wednesday, February 4.
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. Salman Agha and his side will open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
After winning the third and final T20I against Australia on Sunday, Agha said the players had no say in the decision to withdraw from the India match and would abide by whatever the government and the PCB decide.
Pakistan's chances of qualifying for the next round could be at risk if they boycott the India game, especially given the unpredictable nature of the shortest format. After their opener on February 7, Pakistan will face the USA and Namibia on February 10 and 18 respectively.
