As the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 gathers pace, one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches has been thrown into doubt. The spotlight is firmly on the India versus Pakistan Group A clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, a fixture that now looks unlikely to take place after a clear political signal from Pakistan’s leadership.
On Wednesday, February 4, the Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that the Pakistan men’s cricket team will not take the field against India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. While addressing the Pakistani cabinet, Shehbaz Sharif said the decision had been carefully thought through and was rooted in the belief that sports should remain separate from politics. He added that Pakistan has chosen to stand with Bangladesh, calling the move appropriate under the circumstances.
This announcement comes shortly after reports suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board has avoided formally communicating this decision to the ICC. According to sources, the PCB has not sent any official email to the ICC declaring a boycott of the Group A match against India. As a result, the fixture officially remains on the tournament schedule, leaving room for continued uncertainty and speculation in the days ahead.
The ICC is understood to be waiting for written confirmation from the PCB before taking any further steps. Without official communication, the global body is limited in how quickly it can respond, meaning the situation could drag on as the match date approaches.
Meanwhile, India is expected to proceed as per schedule. The Indian team will travel to Colombo for the February 15 fixture and attend the mandatory pre-match press conference on the eve of the game. The Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav is also set to walk out for the toss at the ground.
If the Pakistan team does not appear for the toss, match officials will declare a walkover in India’s favour, awarding them two points. However, the scenario changes if India does not travel to Colombo at all. In that case, the referee would award one point to each team.
With official silence from the PCB and a firm public stance from the Prime Minister, the cricketing world is watching closely. What was meant to be a blockbuster encounter now threatens to become one of the most talked-about controversies of the T20 World Cup 2026, even before a ball is bowled.
