Pakistan government clears T20 World Cup participation, rules out match against India

The Government of Pakistan has granted approval for the national cricket team to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, while confirming that Pakistan will not take the field in its scheduled match against India.

The decision was announced through an official statement released by the Government of Pakistan, which clarified that although participation in the global tournament has been approved, the Pakistan Cricket Team will not play the fixture scheduled for 15 February 2026 against India.

The statement marks a significant development ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, raising questions around scheduling, tournament logistics, and the broader implications for the event. The India–Pakistan fixture is traditionally one of the most anticipated matches in global cricket, drawing massive viewership worldwide.

At this stage, no further details have been provided regarding alternative arrangements or how the ICC may address the absence of one team from a scheduled match. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to issue a separate response following the government’s announcement.

The ICC is expected to engage with the PCB to assess the situation and determine the next steps, as tournament regulations are built on full participation by all qualified teams. Further clarity is anticipated as discussions between stakeholders continue.