The Government of Pakistan on Sunday permitted the national cricket team to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup, while barring the squad from playing the scheduled group-stage match against India on Feb. 15.
“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,” read a post on the Government of Pakistan’s official X account.
Last week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the possibility of boycotting the World Cup in support of Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament. Following the meeting, Naqvi told journalists he had briefed the premier on the tournament, adding a “final decision” on Pakistan’s involvement would emerge later the same week or early next week.
Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the former refused to tour India over safety concerns.
In a statement, the ICC noted that the Government of Pakistan had directed its team to “selectively participate” in the upcoming tournament. “While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board, 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,” it said.
According to the ICC, it builds tournaments on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and “selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity” of competitions. “While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” the statement read.
“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of,” it continued. “The ICC’s priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which should also be the responsibility of all its members including the PCB. It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders,” the statement concluded.
The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to begin on Feb. 7.