“We will not play the match against India” - Pakistan PM confirms Pakistan’s stance in T20 WC 2026

On Wednesday, February 4, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the country’s decision to boycott the group-stage match of the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 against India on Sunday, February 15, in Colombo.

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While addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad, Shehbaz reiterated that the country has taken a ‘clear stand’ for the match against India, adding that the decision was taken after careful assessment.

"We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India," the Pakistan PM said while addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad.

"There should be no politics in sports. We have taken this stand after deliberating on it carefully," he added, calling it an "appropriate decision".

On Sunday, February 1, Pakistan decided to boycott its group-stage match against India in the T20 World Cup after the Pakistan government posted on social media that the Pakistan team "shall not take the field" against India.

Following the Pakistan government’s decision, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a media release, stating that "selective participation" is not fair to the "fundamental premise of a global sporting event." 

"While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), 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," the ICC release said.

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"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 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," the release added.

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