ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan cricket team will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 but will not play its match against India on February 15, the government announced on its official X account Sunday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday to discuss the national team’s participation in the tournament.

"The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15, 2026, against India," the statement read.

The announcement comes amid questions over Pakistan’s participation following the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after the former refused to tour India due to security concerns.

Bangladesh had requested that their matches be relocated to co-host Sri Lanka, a request the ICC rejected.

The ICC, currently chaired by India’s Jay Shah, has faced scrutiny over the political dimensions of its decisions, with critics noting tensions between cricketing nations may influence tournament arrangements.

Bangladesh’s decision also followed the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders’ release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman, reportedly under directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Meanwhile, in response, the ICC noted Pakistan’s decision to “selectively participate” in the World Cup while waiting for official confirmation.

The “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,” ICC said in a statement.

“ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” ICC said, adding that governing body did respect the “roles of governments in matters of national policy,” but the decision was “not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.”

While hoping that the cricket board would consider the “significant and long-term implications” as the decision would “impact the global cricket ecosystem,” calling on PCB to “explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.”

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on February 7, with Pakistan originally set to open its campaign against the Netherlands.

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Pakistan to play T20 World Cup 2026, skip India match