Pakistan said on Sunday they’re playing in the T20 World Cup 2026, but they’re skipping the match against India. They were supposed to play India in Colombo on February 15.
The Pakistan government said on social media that they made the call to skip the India game because the International Cricket Council (ICC) kicked Bangladesh out of the tournament. Bangladesh wanted the ICC to move their games out of India because of security concerns, but the ICC said no.
Pakistan’s government is allowing the Pakistan Cricket Team to play in the ICC World T20 2026. The team, though, won’t play against India on February 15, 2026, the government posted on X.
This announcement wraps up days of guessing about whether Pakistan would even play in the World Cup.
If Pakistan skips the game, India automatically gets the points. The ICC could also fine the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Earlier in the week, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi talked with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. At that time, he said the final call about Pakistan playing would be made around January 30 or February 2. But it was announced a day early. This decision could cause issues for the tournament because the India-Pakistan game makes a lot of money.
Pakistan also held off on showing off the team’s jersey for the Men’s T20 World Cup, thinking they’d do it once they decided if they were playing in the tournament.
Pakistan, who won in 2009, is in Group A for the T20 World Cup with India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA. They’ll start their games on February 7 against the Netherlands in Colombo, with Salman Ali Agha leading the team.
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