As uncertainty continues to surround the India–Pakistan clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, India has decided to stick to the rulebook. Even though Pakistan has announced it will boycott the group-stage match scheduled for February 15, the Indian cricket team will travel to Sri Lanka and prepare for the game exactly as planned.
According to sources from the BCCI, the team will follow every ICC-mandated step, regardless of Pakistan’s stance. A report by ANI quoted officials saying that India will arrive in Colombo, train according to schedule, attend media commitments and report to the SSC Cricket Ground on match day. The team will then wait for the match referee to take a final call on the fixture.
The message from the Indian camp is clear — nothing changes until it officially does. From practice sessions to the pre-match press conference, India intends to treat February 15 like any other World Cup match day. If Pakistan does not turn up, the process will play out according to ICC regulations rather than assumptions.
The ICC, meanwhile, has reiterated its discomfort with the idea of selective participation in global tournaments. The governing body has emphasised that its multi-nation events are built on fairness, consistency and competitive balance. From its perspective, choosing to play some matches while opting out of others goes against the spirit of international sport and creates uncertainty for fans across the world, including those in Pakistan.
The ICC has also signaled that it expects the PCB to carefully think through the broader consequences of boycotting the India match. The concern is not limited to one fixture but extends to how such decisions could affect Pakistan’s standing within the global cricket structure, of which it has long been a key part.
At the same time, the ICC has made it clear that its priority is the smooth and successful conduct of the Men’s T20 World Cup. The tournament, it believes, is a shared responsibility, and all member boards are expected to act in a way that protects the interests of the competition, broadcasters, players and millions of fans.
For now, India’s approach remains calm and procedural. Come February 15, team India will be in Colombo, ready and waiting leaving the next move to officials, not speculation.
