The Government of Pakistan has officially confirmed that the national cricket team will participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, but will not play the scheduled match against India.

According to an official statement shared on the government’s verified social media account, Pakistan has granted approval for its team to compete in the tournament. However, the team will not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15, 2026, against India in Colombo.

This announcement marks a significant political and sporting development ahead of the global tournament. While Pakistan has committed to the World Cup, the decision to boycott the high-profile India clash has raised questions around tournament integrity and scheduling.

Earlier, the ICC had stated that selective participation is against the fundamental principles of a global sporting event, emphasizing that all qualified teams are expected to compete fully as per the official schedule.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to issue a detailed response following the government’s announcement. The situation is expected to prompt further discussions between the ICC and PCB as the governing body works to ensure a smooth and fair conduct of the tournament.

With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, all eyes are now on how the ICC addresses this issue and whether a mutually acceptable resolution can be reached in the interest of the game and its fans worldwide.