Cricket fans, the T20 World Cup 2026 is heating up – and not just on the field. Pakistan’s team has now arrived in Colombo for the tournament, but their trip is full of tension. The Pakistan government has allowed the squad to play in the T20 World Cup 2026, but they’ve made one big rule: no match against India on February 15 at R. Premadasa Stadium.
This boycott comes after a messy row. Bangladesh pulled out of playing in India over security worries, so the ICC swapped them with Scotland. Pakistan stood by Bangladesh and called the ICC’s decision a “double standard” for not moving games to a neutral spot. Now, Pakistan says they’ll play every other group game but skip the India fixture.
Key Points in the T20 World Cup 2026 Boycott Row
| Issue | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| Selective Participation | Pakistan plays all matches except vs India |
| ICC’s Warning | Says it hurts tournament integrity; hints at penalties |
| Financial Impact | India-Pakistan game is the biggest money-maker |
| NRR & Points | India gets walkover (2 points) if Pakistan doesn’t show |
| India’s Position | BCCI says team will follow rules – show up and wait |
The ICC has already warned that skipping a match breaks tournament rules. Pakistan could face big fines, lose revenue share, or take a hit to their net run rate (NRR). That makes qualifying tougher for them in Group A.
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For fans, this is heartbreaking. The India-Pakistan clash is always the highlight of any T20 World Cup 2026 – huge crowds, crazy excitement, and massive TV money. Broadcasters and sponsors are worried about losses if it doesn’t happen.
The deadlock continues. No one knows yet if talks will fix this or if the boycott sticks. The ICC might step in soon with a final call.
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