Pakistan’s decision to boycott its blockbuster ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India has sent shockwaves through the global cricket ecosystem. The Pakistan government has confirmed that the men’s team will not take the field for the February 15 match in Colombo, even as it has cleared the side to participate in the rest of the tournament, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

The move follows the ICC’s decision to eject Bangladesh from the competition after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to travel to India for their fixtures, citing security concerns. During the Bangladesh impasse, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) publicly backed the BCB, and reports suggested Pakistan could withdraw from the tournament in solidarity.

While that drastic step has not materialised, the partial boycott has created fresh uncertainty for organisers, broadcasters, and fans. An India–Pakistan fixture is the most-watched and commercially valuable match in world cricket, and its cancellation threatens to dent the tournament’s sporting rhythm and financial projections.

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Reacting to the development, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the Indian board would respond once it received official communication. “I can’t make any comment till the moment I receive the official intimation. It will not be right for me to pass any comment on this issue,” Devajit Saikia told CNN News18. He added that once the matter is formally communicated, the BCCI will issue a statement underscoring the need for clarity through official channels rather than speculation.

The ICC, meanwhile, has questioned Pakistan’s stance and warned that a boycott could invite punitive sanctions. In a strongly worded statement, the global body urged the PCB to weigh the long-term consequences for cricket in Pakistan, noting that such decisions affect the wider global game and millions of fans.

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While respecting the role of governments in national policy, the ICC stressed that pulling out of marquee fixtures is not in the sport’s or its supporters’ best interests. With weeks to go before the tournament, the standoff adds another layer of uncertainty to a World Cup already shaped by geopolitics.