If Pakistan does not play the match against India, it will face a major loss.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to find a mutually acceptable solution following the Pakistani government’s announcement that the national team will boycott its group-stage match against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The ICC warned that such a move would run counter to the interests of global cricket and the integrity of the tournament.

In a statement released nearly three hours after Pakistan’s announcement on social media platform X, the ICC confirmed that it has yet to receive formal communication from the PCB. The governing body emphasised that selectively playing some matches while refusing others contradicts the fundamental principles of global sporting events, where all qualified teams are expected to compete on an equal footing according to the official schedule.

The ICC statement underlined: “ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competition, consistency, and fairness. Selective participation undermines the sanctity of the competition.”

While acknowledging that governments have sovereign policy considerations, the ICC stressed that the decision would not serve the interests of international cricket or the millions of Pakistani fans worldwide. It further cautioned the PCB to consider the long-term impact on Pakistani cricket, as such a boycott could have repercussions across the global cricket ecosystem, in which the PCB is both a stakeholder and beneficiary.

The ICC reiterated that its top priority is the successful organisation of the 2026 T20 World Cup—a shared responsibility of all member boards, including the PCB. Accordingly, the ICC expects the PCB to seek a solution that balances the interests of all parties.

The controversy follows Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament due to security concerns, after which the ICC replaced them with Scotland on 24 January. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi criticised India for alleged bias and confirmed that the government will make the final decision regarding Pakistan’s participation.

Pakistan is drawn in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. All matches will be played in co-host Sri Lanka. Pakistan is scheduled to open its campaign against the Netherlands on 7 February, face the United States on 10 February, and Namibia on 18 February. A boycott of the India match on 15 February would cost Pakistan two points.

Under ICC playing conditions, a forfeited match also negatively affects the defaulting team’s net run rate (NRR). According to Regulation 16.10.7, the team that forfeits will be deemed to have played the full 20 overs, which will adversely affect its average run rate, while the opposing team’s NRR remains unaffected.

If Pakistan proceeds with a boycott, the consequences will extend beyond lost points, potentially affecting tournament standings and the team’s international ranking, while raising broader questions about the integrity and continuity of major cricketing events.