Pakistan to boycott Feb 15 match of T20 World Cup against India

The Pakistan government has barred the Green shirts from playing the February 15 match of the T20 World Cup against arch-rivals India.

In a post shared on micro-blogging platform X (former Twitter) on Sunday, the federal government has given a go-ahead to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the mega event.

However, the Pakistan cricket team has been stopped from playing the game against India. Though no reason has been given, the move is aimed at expressing solidarity with Bangladesh and recording a protest against the biased attitude of the International Cricket Council (ICC) when dealing with India and other member countries.

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.

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 1, 2026

“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”, reads the post shared on the official handle of the Pakistan government.

Tensions escalated between Bangladesh and India after the removal of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Bangladesh Cricket Board requested the ICC to shift their matches outside India, which was later rejected. The ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, saying it was not possible to change the venues so close to the start of the mega event.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the prevailing scenario and sought a final decision on taking part in the mega event.

To register a protest over biased treatment given to Bangladesh and express solidarity with the cricket-loving nation, Pakistan decided to boycott the match against India.