The Pakistan cricket team, scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka today, will not participate in their highly anticipated T20 World Cup match against India on 15 February in Colombo. The announcement was made on Sunday night via the official social media channels of the Pakistani government.
Pakistan, which is set to play all its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, was slated to play two warm-up matches before facing the Netherlands in their tournament opener on 7 February. However, the clash with India has now been officially called off. This decision means that Pakistan will not appear on the field on 15 February, leaving questions about India’s response to the sudden withdrawal.
ANI news agency sought clarification from a senior official at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official stated that India will adhere to its pre-planned schedule, saying:
“India will proceed to Sri Lanka on 15 February and follow all ICC protocols. The team will continue with scheduled practice sessions and media commitments. Players will arrive at the stadium on time and wait for the match referee to officially announce the cancellation.”
Both India and Pakistan are part of Group A in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The group also includes the Netherlands, the United States, and Namibia. Teams in this group are required to travel between India and Sri Lanka depending on their opponents. India’s first group match will be against the United States on 7 February in Mumbai, followed by a clash with Namibia on 12 February in Delhi. The encounter with Pakistan was the only match for which Pakistan was scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan government has not provided an official reason for the boycott. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been publicly critical of the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the past two weeks, accusing it of inconsistent application of safety protocols. Last year, the ICC responded to India’s security concerns, but the PCB argues that the governing body did not take similar measures for Bangladesh, raising questions about ICC’s “principled position.”
Group A Fixtures and Venues (India & Pakistan Perspective):
| Date | Match | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 2026 | India vs USA | Mumbai | India’s first match, Pakistan not involved |
| 12 Feb 2026 | India vs Namibia | Delhi | India’s second match, Pakistan not involved |
| 15 Feb 2026 | India vs Pakistan | Colombo | Pakistan boycotts, match now cancelled |
| 17 Feb 2026 | India vs Netherlands | TBD | Standard schedule |
With the Pakistan boycott confirmed, the 15 February encounter in Colombo is expected to be officially ruled a no-result. Indian players, however, will maintain their training and media schedules, ensuring they remain in compliance with ICC requirements. Analysts say the boycott could escalate political tensions in cricketing circles, highlighting ongoing governance and security debates ahead of the tournament.