On Wednesday, February 4, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that their cricket team will not participate in the group match against India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The high-stakes Group A match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. In a cabinet meeting, Sharif stated that Pakistan has taken a clear stance on this issue.
He remarked, 'We have made a well-considered decision not to play against India in the T20 World Cup. The sports field should not be a place for politics. We stand with Bangladesh, and this is a fair decision.' Sharif's statement comes amid recent reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to formally inform the International Cricket Council (ICC) of their boycott of the match against India.
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According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board is stubbornly refusing to send an official email to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on this decision. If the PCB does not formally notify the ICC, the India-Pakistan match will remain on the schedule, perpetuating uncertainty around the issue. It is said that the ICC awaits an official letter from Pakistan before proceeding with any further actions.
The Indian cricket team is set to travel to Colombo on February 15. Captain Suryakumar Yadav is expected to attend the pre-match press conference and participate in the toss. If Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha does not attend the toss, the match referee will grant India a walkover, awarding them two points. However, if India does not go to Colombo and Pakistan also does not arrive, each team will receive one point.
