The Pakistan cricket team, scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka today to participate in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, will not face India in Colombo on 15 February. Pakistan is set to play two preparatory matches before taking on the Netherlands in their tournament opener on 7 February. However, the much-anticipated clash against India has been officially called off, according to a statement released late Sunday night via the official social media channels of the Pakistani government.
All of Pakistan’s matches in this year’s T20 World Cup are being hosted in Sri Lanka. Consequently, their withdrawal from the India fixture means the team will not be present on the field that day. While India has only one group-stage match scheduled outside its home country—against Pakistan in Sri Lanka—the rest of its fixtures are to be played in India. Pakistan was originally to travel to Sri Lanka solely for this match. With Pakistan’s withdrawal now confirmed, questions arise regarding how India will proceed.
ANI news agency sought clarification from an unnamed official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The official assured that India would adhere strictly to its planned schedule, stating:
“India will travel to Sri Lanka on 15 February and comply with all ICC protocols. The team will conduct practice sessions, hold press conferences, and arrive at the stadium on time. Subsequently, India will await the match referee’s official announcement regarding the cancellation of the fixture.”
In the 2026 T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan are placed in Group A, alongside the Netherlands, the United States, and Namibia. Teams in this group face a logistical challenge: travelling between India and Sri Lanka depending on the opponent. India opens its campaign against the United States in Mumbai on 7 February, and faces Namibia in Delhi on 12 February, after which the team was scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for the Pakistan encounter.
The Pakistani government has not formally cited a reason for the boycott. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has, over the past two weeks, criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for what it perceives as inconsistent treatment. Last year, when India raised security concerns, the ICC responded, but this year, Pakistan alleges, the council did not act similarly in the case of Bangladesh, prompting questions regarding the regulator’s “principled stance.”
| Group A Fixtures – 2026 T20 World Cup | Date | Venue | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | 7 Feb | Mumbai, India | India vs USA |
| Match 2 | 12 Feb | Delhi, India | India vs Namibia |
| Match 3 | 15 Feb | Colombo, Sri Lanka | India vs Pakistan (Cancelled) |
| Match 4 | 7 Feb | Sri Lanka | Pakistan vs Netherlands |
This decision sets the stage for what promises to be a tense tournament, with India adhering to protocol and Pakistan taking a firm stance on its grievances with the ICC. Fans and analysts alike will closely watch how both boards navigate the unfolding situation in the lead-up to the World Cup.