LAHORE: In a decision blending sporting participation with political stance, the Pakistani government has granted approval for the national cricket team to compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 but has simultaneously mandated a boycott of its scheduled match against arch-rival India.
The pivotal decision followed a high-level meeting in Lahore between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Following detailed consultations, the government cleared the team’s participation in the global tournament, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
However, the approval came with a significant geopolitical condition. The government, clarifying its position, explicitly stated that the national team “will not play a match against India” in the World Cup. This directly impacts the high-voltage group-stage clash scheduled for February 15, 2026, which Pakistan will now forfeit or seek to have rescheduled by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The move formalizes the long-simmering political tensions into active sporting policy, prioritizing a diplomatic stance over one of cricket’s most iconic rivalries. It underscores the deep frost in bilateral relations, where cricketing ties have been suspended for over a decade, with encounters limited to multi-nation events.
The decision presents a complex scenario for the ICC and places the Pakistani team in an unusual position, entering a World Cup knowing they will not contest a key fixture. For Pakistani fans, the announcement brings a mix of relief at participating in a premier event and disappointment at the loss of the sport’s most intense contest. The government’s directive firmly ties the nation’s cricketing future to the evolving landscape of its foreign policy.
