Pakistan boycotts the match against India in the T20 World Cup

In a surprising development during the 2026 T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan has officially announced that it will boycott its match against India scheduled on February 15 in Colombo. While the Pakistani government has allowed its team to participate in the tournament, it has decided not to play against India. The announcement was made through Pakistan’s official Twitter account.

The boycott is reportedly driven by security concerns, diplomatic tensions, and solidarity with Bangladesh after the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate their matches from India to Sri Lanka, replacing Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament. As a result, India will receive two points by default, reducing Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semifinals. The decision could also lead to ICC sanctions, financial losses, and reduced broadcasting revenue. Pakistan’s team is scheduled to depart for Colombo on February 2, and it remains to be seen whether the ICC will intervene at the last minute.