BCCI reacts to Pakistan’s boycott of India match in T20 World Cup 2026

2026-02-02 - 09:06

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday issued its response following Pakistan’s announcement that it will boycott its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India while confirming that Pakistan would continue to participate in the rest of the tournament. A BCCI official told an Indian news agency that the Indian team would travel to Sri Lanka in line with ICC protocols. A spokesperson for the board confirmed that Team India will follow all International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, conduct scheduled practice sessions, attend press conferences, and arrive at the stadium on time, awaiting the match referee’s decision regarding the game. This development has marked a major moment in the build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, raising questions about the handling of match protocols and the implications for tournament points and net run rates. BCCI sources added that despite Pakistan’s decision to boycott the February 15 group-stage match, the Indian team will remain on the field in accordance with ICC procedures and take direction from the match referee until a final ruling is made. Pakistan had earlier stated on social media that the national cricket team would participate in the T20 World Cup but would abstain from playing against India. The Pakistan government earlier had barred the Green shirts from playing the February 15 match of the T20 World Cup against arch-rivals India. In a post shared on micro-blogging platform X (former Twitter) on Sunday, the federal government has given a go-ahead to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the mega event. Pakistan to boycott Feb 15 match of T20 World Cup against India “The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India”, reads