Pakistan has announced it will refuse to play against India at the T20 World Cup later this month, despite confirming its participation in the tournament overall.
The Pakistani government made the declaration on Sunday via its official X account, stating that while the national side had been granted approval to compete in the ICC World T20 2026, "the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on February 15, 2026 against India."
The fixture was due to take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the competition alongside India.
No specific explanation accompanied the announcement, though the decision follows weeks of escalating tensions between Pakistan cricket officials and the ICC over the treatment of Bangladesh.
Pakistan have not given any specific explanation for their decision to boycott the match against India
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Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi had previously indicated the team might withdraw entirely from the competition after Bangladesh were expelled for declining to travel to India, citing political tensions and security fears.
Naqvi levelled accusations of preferential treatment at cricket's governing body, claiming the ICC had applied different standards to different nations.
"Bangladesh has been hard done by," Naqvi stated last week.
"You can't have double standards. You can't say for one country [India] they can do whatever they want and for the others to have to do the complete opposite."
The ICC had dismissed Bangladesh's request to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka, determining there was no credible security threat. Scotland subsequently replaced Bangladesh in the tournament as the next highest-ranked team without qualification.
India are the T20 World Cup holders and will host this year's tournament alongside Sri Lanka
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The ICC responded to Pakistan's announcement by expressing concern over what it termed "selective participation" in a global sporting event.
In its statement, the governing body said: "This position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule."
The ICC emphasised that its tournaments are founded upon "sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness," adding that selective participation "undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions."
While acknowledging governments' roles in national policy matters, the ICC stated the decision was "not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan."
The organisation called on the PCB to seek "a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders."
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.
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 1, 2026
The precise punishment Pakistan faces remains uncertain, though previous tournament regulations suggest the match would be either conceded or awarded to India. Under prior ICC playing conditions, any forfeiture would negatively affect Pakistan's net run-rate while leaving India's unaffected.
Pakistan, who claimed the T20 World Cup title in 2009 and finished as runners-up twice, will contest their remaining Group A matches against the Netherlands on 7 February, the USA on 10 February, and Namibia on 18 February.
The two cricketing nations have not met outside major ICC tournaments since 2013 due to ongoing political difficulties, with India last touring Pakistan in 2008.
All of Pakistan's fixtures at this World Cup are scheduled for Sri Lanka, including any potential semi-final or final appearances.