Lahore, February 1, 2026 — The Government of Pakistan has granted conditional approval for the national cricket team to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Officials confirmed that Pakistan will compete in the global event, but the team will not play the scheduled match against India on February 15, 2026, citing longstanding diplomatic considerations. The government emphasized that this decision is final, and Pakistan’s stance is clear.
According to an official statement on social media, Pakistan’s participation is approved with the condition of skipping the India fixture. The statement highlighted that the team will take part in all other matches and is fully committed to the tournament.
This decision comes in the wake of Bangladesh’s earlier exit from the T20 World Cup 2026. Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament citing concerns over scheduling and player security in matches against certain opponents. Cricket analysts have noted that Pakistan’s decision mirrors similar geopolitical considerations, reflecting the sensitivity of India-Pakistan sporting encounters.
The move has sparked diverse reactions among fans, media, and cricketing circles, with debates over sporting ethics, diplomacy, and team readiness dominating discussions. Meanwhile, the PCB is expected to issue a detailed statement soon, clarifying the squad selection, tournament schedule, and Pakistan’s preparations ahead of the World Cup.