Lahore: Ending days and weeks of suspense, Pakistan on Sunday announced it will take part in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
However, in a major decision, Pakistan will boycott its group-stage match against arch-rivals India.
India and Pakistan were scheduled to clash in a Group A fixture at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium on February 15.
Th
e decision was announced by Pakistan government on social media platform X, claiming they have granted permission to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play the competition.
“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,” Pakistani government posted from its official account.
The tournament, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will see India and Pakistan clubbed with the USA, Namibia and the Netherlands in the preliminary stage.
The T20 World Cup gets underway on February 7, when India take on USA in one of three games.