ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's cricket team will be allowed to take part in the upcoming T20 World Cup but must boycott its group game against India, the Pakistan government said Sunday.
There was no immediate reaction from the ICC, cricket's governing body. The tournament starts Saturday.
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026,” the government posted on its official X account. “However, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”
Pakistan will play all its games in Sri Lanka because of political tensions with India, which is co-hosting the tournament with Sri Lanka.
No reason was given for Pakistan boycotting the Group A game against India, but Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi had criticized the ICC for “double standards” by refusing to shift Bangladesh’s games to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland for the tournament.
Pakistan's first match is against the Netherlands on Saturday. It will then take on the U.S. on Feb. 10 and Namibia on Feb. 18.
India would automatically receive two points if Pakistan forfeits the game.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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cube_corner said:
cube_corner said:
Most of the violence lately comes from leftists, but nobody seems to write about those of us who fear for our safety. And there are many of us.
cube_corner said:
Awful what they're doing to this kids. The images suggest it's >90% young girls, too. Imagine what lies they tell them. Horrible and sad.
cube_corner said:
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