Post Pakistan government confirming that their national cricket team won’t be in action against India on February 15 during the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo, a decision that was received poorly by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the reports confirmed that the PCB has reached out to several board members. The move came as support for their boycott stance in the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan has been told to change its decision regarding the matter and come to a mutually accepted stance. In an earlier ICC meeting, a 14-2 vote was cast against Bangladesh’s request to move their venues from India to Sri Lanka for the World Cup, whose denial later saw the ICC replace the Asian country with Scotland in the final groupings.

See Also: “Virat Kohli urged…”- Ranji Trophy 2025/26 leading run-getter reveals veteran’s crucial advice

ICC board members also highlight the inconsistencies in Pakistan’s stance as they played the game against India in the Under-19 World Cup 2026 on the same day of denying the T20 WC clash against India. It’s also expected to feature against the Blue Brigade in the upcoming women’s fixtures.

Pakistan reaches out to multiple boards after forfeiting India clash in T20 WC 2026

The reports also noted that India’s participation in the Asia Cup 2025 was driven by a desire to protect the ICC association nations, whose revenues would have been affected had the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) proceeded with a withdrawal. India kept the global cricket mindset and opted for the game against Pakistan, besides showing a protest against India.

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PCB starting to feel the heat?

Reached out to multiple other boards yesterday.

Did not get support from any.

Did not reach out to ICC till late last evening. https://t.co/o57zfo6OJA

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) February 3, 2026

Pakistan’s forfeiture could financially impact the associate members, while the BCCI won’t have any effect on them due to the boycott. They had formally communicated their position to the ICC, despite the World Cup warm-up matches already underway. Their first warm-up encounter will be against Ireland on February 04 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

The Salman Ali Agha-led side recently won the home T20I series against Australia by a 3-0 margin before playing the curtain raiser of the T20 WC 2026 against the Netherlands on February 07 at the same venue in Colombo.

The Pakistan cricket team has left for Sri Lanka to play in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. This comes even though the team may face action from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan has refused to play against India in the tournament.

A video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board showed the players wearing their new World Cup kit. They were seen boarding a bus from a hotel in Lahore and heading to the airport. Even though Pakistan is co-hosting the tournament with India, the team will play all its matches in Sri Lanka because of political tension between the two countries.

On Sunday, Pakistan shocked the cricket world when the government told the team to take part in the World Cup but boycott the group-stage match against India.

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PAKISTAN TEAM LEAVES FOR SRI LANKA. 🇵🇰pic.twitter.com/vbQWWfOXN1

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) February 2, 2026

Pakistan leave for T20 World Cup amid India boycott row

Pakistan left for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka on Monday and is waiting to see if the ICC will take action. The issue comes after Pakistan refused to play against India in the tournament. A video shared by the PCB showed players wearing their new World Cup jersey as they travelled from a hotel in Lahore to the airport.

Even though India is a co-host of the World Cup, Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka. This includes any knockout games. The decision was taken due to political tension between the two countries. Pakistan created shock on Sunday when the government told the team to play in the World Cup but skip the group match against India in Colombo on February 15. No clear reason was given. Reports say the PCB has not officially informed the ICC yet.

See also -Star RCB pacer likely to miss early phase of the T20 World Cup 2026; replacement announced

ICC warns of consequences

The ICC has warned Pakistan about possible punishment. It said that playing some matches and skipping others does not match the spirit of a global tournament. The ICC added that this decision is not good for world cricket or for fans, including those in Pakistan. Matches between India and Pakistan usually draw huge viewership and bring major income, as the two teams have not played a bilateral series for many years.

Players and PCB respond

The T20 World Cup will begin on Saturday, with Pakistan set to face the Netherlands. Pakistan will also play a warm-up match against Ireland on Wednesday in Colombo. After a 3-0 T20 series win over Australia in Lahore, captain Salman Ali Agha said the players would follow government orders. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also criticised the ICC, calling its actions unfair. He pointed to past cases where teams faced different treatment due to government decisions.

The situation of the current T20 World Cup 2026 has turned into a dramatic theatre after the Pakistan government gave the green light to the national cricket team to feature in the ICC event but kept them on red signal for the clash against India, which is scheduled to take place on February 15 at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Regarding that development, the Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor, has spoken out about the politics and felt that Mustafizur Rahman’s contract should not have been denied by the BCCI. He calls the situation unfortunate, besides reflecting on the potential solidarity PCB had been showing to BCB.

See Also: Former RCB star to be named Afghanistan's mentor for T20 World Cup 2026

“It is pretty disgraceful that sport has been politicized in this way on both sides, frankly. I don't think that Mustafizur (Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman) should have been denied his contract to play in Kolkata. It was most unfortunate. Intrusion of politics, I think the Bangladeshi reaction was an overreaction, but it is also a reflection of the same, and Pakistan is trying to show its solidarity with Bangladesh.” Shashi Tharoor expressed in an interview.

Shashi Tharoor reflects on Pakistan forfeiting India clash in T20 WC 2026

The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, claimed that such a decision would be taken after the ICC boycotted Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup 2026 due to their refusal to travel to India for security concerns. Tharoor noted that the game would always be on, putting everyone together on the field.

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#WATCH | On Pakistan to boycott its match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "It is pretty disgraceful that sport has been politicised in this way on both sides, frankly. I don't think that Mustafizur (Bangladeshi cricketer… pic.twitter.com/wt3wgwXZPQ

— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2026

“This whole thing is spiraling out of control. I think we really need to come to an understanding that sports, especially a sport like cricket, which means so much to all the people, should be a means of bringing us together at least on the playing field, rather than allowing this to go on like this.” The Congress MP addressed.

“I honestly think this is now a wakeup call for all concerned to contact each other on an emergency basis, the ICC could be the platform for it, just say, let's call off this nonsense. You can't go on like this forever.” Tharoor shed light.

Former opener Aakash Chopra criticised Pakistan after the team threatened to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. The two arch-rivals are scheduled to play in a Group A match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 7.

A new controversy has now emerged over the high-profile clash. The Pakistani government announced on Sunday that the Men in Green will take part in the ICC event but will not play the match against India.

Chopra pointed out Pakistan’s “hypocrisy,” noting that the announcement came on the same day as Pakistan’s U19 World Cup 2026 match against India.

Also read -Watch: Pakistan unveil T20 World Cup 2026 official Kit amid match boycott controversy vs India

Aakash Chopra Calls Out Pakistan Over T20 World Cup 2026 Boycott

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra wrote on X:

"Pakistan deciding not to play against India in an ICC event ON the day Pakistan played against India in an ICC event. HYPOCRISY ki spelling sahi hai?"

Pakistan deciding not to play against India in an ICC event ON the day Pakistan played against India in an ICC event.
HYPOCRISY ki spelling sahi hai?

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 1, 2026

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. All of Pakistan’s games will be played in Sri Lanka. Both India and Pakistan will start their campaigns on February 7. India will face the United States at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, while Pakistan will play the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

Chopra Trolls Fan After India U19 Win Over Pakistan

Aakash Chopra also made a separate post on X to highlight that Pakistan did not boycott their U19 World Cup 2026 match against India. A fan mocked him, calling U19 cricket “irrelevant.”

The 48-year-old replied sharply:

"Mat bhejte team phir. Haar gaye toh Angoor Khatte hain…" (Don’t send the team then. The grapes are sour because you lost.)

Mat bhejte team phir. Haar gaye toh Angoor Khatte hain… https://t.co/Nm9KEZijVo

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 1, 2026

In the U19 match, India successfully defended a 253-run target against Pakistan at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. Pakistan were bowled out for 194 and were eliminated from the tournament.

India U19 will now face Afghanistan in the semifinal at the Harare Sports Club, Harare, on Wednesday, February 4.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially unveiled the national team’s jersey for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday after receiving approval from the Government of Pakistan to take part in the tournament. The launch followed a major political decision, as Pakistan announced it will boycott its group-stage match against India on February 15.

The government confirmed that the Pakistan team will travel to Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup, which will run until March 8. However, the approval came with a condition that Pakistan will not play its Group A match against India on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The PCB is yet to formally inform the ICC, but the announcement has already drawn strong reactions.

The jersey launch took place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore after Pakistan’s third T20I against Australia. The event was earlier postponed due to uncertainty over participation and went ahead only after government clearance. Captain Salman Ali Agha, along with senior players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Abrar Ahmed, presented the new jersey.

Watch the video here:

Paksitan t20 world cup jersey with a markhor touch pic.twitter.com/mhlsBaejdy

— Mustafa (@mustafamasood0) February 1, 2026

Pakistan Unveils “Vanguard Markhor Edition” Jersey

The new kit, named the “Vanguard Markhor Edition,” comes with a light green base and dark green designs. It clearly features Pakistan’s national animal, the Markhor. The PCB also released a short promotional video that highlighted themes of strength, resilience, and national pride.

See also -Star RCB pacer likely to miss early phase of the T20 World Cup 2026; replacement announced

ICC Responds to Pakistan’s Boycott Decision

Pakistan’s decision to skip the match against India was shared through an official statement on X. The Government of Pakistan said it had allowed the team to take part in the tournament but confirmed that the side will not play against India. No official reason was given for the move.

Under ICC playing rules, Pakistan will lose two points from the match and also suffer a loss in net run rate. India’s points and net run rate will not be affected.

The ICC raised concerns over selective participation in a global tournament. In its statement, the governing body said such actions affect fairness, competition, and the spirit of the game. The ICC also warned that the decision could have long-term effects on Pakistan cricket and asked the PCB to find a mutually acceptable solution.

The former Indian cricketer, Atul Wassan, questions whether, even though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to forfeit their group-stage clash against India on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, they do the same when the two teams potentially meet in the final of the event.

Late on February 01, less than a week before the start of the T20 World Cup 2026, the Pakistan government revealed that they had given the green light to their team to feature in the World Cup, but not against India. This will see the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) getting full two points from the fixture.

See Also: Pakistan confirmed to boycott T20 World Cup 2026? PCB plans domestic tournament

“I feel a little sorry for them, and I'm also a little surprised. What do they want? As they say, "When destruction is imminent, wisdom fails." Because if Pakistan doesn't play this match and concede the points, and then you meet India later, will you still not play? So if you've decided this, then you haven't left ICC with any option.” Atul Wassan expressed in a recent interview.

Atul Wassan questions Pakistan’s stance in potential T20 WC 2026 final vs India

Pakistan is in the same group A with India, the Netherlands, the United States of America, and Namibia. They begin the campaign against the Dutch on February 07, which will also be the opening day of the event. Wassan also stated the false conception of ICC and BCCI being the same.

Watch the video here: 

#WATCH | Delhi: On Pakistan to boycott its match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, former Indian Cricketer Atul Wassan says, "I feel a little sorry for them, and I'm also a little surprised. What do they want? As they say, "When destruction is imminent, wisdom… pic.twitter.com/KiZisjaWbu

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026

“ICC will have to kick them out because it would be blackmail, wouldn't it? They don't know the financial loss will be significant. They are trying to find every possible way to spite India, to retaliate against India. They don't understand that they're heading towards ruin. Maybe the Pakistani players will relax, because they know they're going to lose anyway, so the humiliation will be less.” Wassan shed light.

“But even if you lose, sanctions will be imposed, you won't get the participation fee. They have a misconception that ICC and BCCI are the same, but they're not. Just because we have Jay Shah being the head of the ICC doesn't mean that the BCCI owns the ICC.” The former Indian player concluded.

Pakistan will face Australia in the third and final T20I of the series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, February 1. Pakistan have already sealed the series with a 2-0 lead and will be aiming to finish with a clean sweep.

The hosts have completely controlled the series so far. Pakistan won the first match by 22 runs and then followed it up with an enormous victory of 90 runs in the second match. Their batting and bowling attack have been performing well, and this has given them immense confidence before the T20 World Cup in 2026. They will hope to keep up the same level of intensity and finish the series on a positive note.

Australia, meanwhile, have been struggling to get into form in the opening two matches. The team has been trying different combinations as part of their World Cup preparations. The visitors will now look to avoid a whitewash and perform better in the final match.

PAK vs AUS Head-to-Head (T20Is)

• Matches Played: 30
• Pakistan Won: 15
• Australia Won: 14
• No Result: 1

PAK vs AUS: Pitch Report

The Gaddafi Stadium surface generally assists batsmen. It has enough bounce to enable fast bowlers to get pace and batters to play their shots. However, as the match progresses, the pitch can slow down, which helps spinners and pacers during the middle overs. The average first-innings score in last season was 162, which added to the competitiveness of matches. 

See Also: SL vs ENG, 2nd T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

PAK vs AUS: Predicted Playing XIs

Pakistan (PAK):

Salman Agha (c), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed

Australia (AUS):

Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa

The former Pakistan captain, Rashid Latif, has supported their past T20I captain, Babar Azam, heading into the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, despite the batter’s constant failure to be a regular member of the national side. He reckoned that if Baba can’t be a part of the team despite scoring 1000 runs, then it will be a massive issue. 

In history, the Lahore-born, Babar Azam, is the leading run-getter of the T20I cricket with 4453 runs in 130 innings at an average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of 128.40, with the help of three centuries and 38 half-centuries at the best score of 122 runs. But the current few games haven’t been great for the veteran batter.

See Also: Watch: Cameron Green complains of Usman Tariq's chucking during PAK vs AUS 2nd T20I

“If Babar Azam can’t be part of the ninth-ranked Pakistan side after scoring 1000 runs, then Salman Ali Agha can’t even come near the T20I side even with three fifties.” Latif has expressed in a video on X (formerly known as Twitter) that has gone viral on social media.

Rashid Latif backs Babar Azam for T20 World Cup 2026

Babar was recently part of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025/26 season for the Sydney Sixers, where he collected 202 runs at an average of 22.44 in 11 innings and a strike rate of just over 100 with the help of two half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 58 runs.

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“IF BABAR AZAM CANNOT BE PART OF THIS 9th RANK PAKISTAN TEAM AFTER SCORING 1000s OF RUNS THEN SALMAN ALI AGHA WITH 3 50s SHOULD NOT EVEN BE NEAR THE TEAM”

- RASHID LATIF pic.twitter.com/dBC0xg3Yq1

— Kh4N PCT (@Kh4N_PCT) January 31, 2026

During the first couple of T20Is against Australia, the right-hand batter has returned with scores of 24 and two. On the other hand, Salman Agha has nailed two strong knocks of 39 and 76 against Australia, which will be a massive boost for the national side.

In this home T20I series. Pakistan has decided to open with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, while Agha has promoted himself to number three, dropping Babar at number four in the batting lineup. The latest will need to back his game against the spinners to help his side in the spin-friendly Sri Lankan conditions during the World Cup.

A video on social media is viral for such a long time, where Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the two veterans and the former captains of the Pakistan side, have practiced in a unique way, where they stretch their hands and legs and run forward. This is a hilarious way of doing stretches, which is not quite normal and regular among the other players of the game.

Recently, another video has gone viral on social media platforms where India’s football goal-keeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, has put up a video where he has stretched in the same way as Babar and Rizwan, as the other football players have also joined Sandhu in the process.

See Also: Watch: Sanju Samson’s fans put 40-feet drawing welcomes homeboy ahead of IND vs NZ 5th T20I  

Babar is currently featuring for the Pakistan side in their home three-match T20I series against Australia, which has been a great preparation for the right-handed batter ahead of the 2026 season of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. He failed, however, in the first game in Lahore, having returned for only 24 runs in 20 balls.

Gurpreet Singh Sadhu mocks Pakistan's Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan

There is uncertainty on Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup as the PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, claimed after he met with the country’s Prime Minister. He confirmed that the final decision will be made on the first day of next week, which is only a couple of days before their opening game of the campaign on February 07 against the Netherlands in Colombo.

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Pakistan will hope for a better result in this year’s World Cup as they failed to get the promotion to the next round during the last event, having lost their opening clash against the United States of America and their second successive encounter against India in a small run-chase. Questions were raised on Babar’s T20I batting after that competition.

Pakistan’s biggest and mouth-watering clash of the tournament will be against India on February 15. That clash will take place at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, which was possible only because of the mutual agreement between India and Pakistan, where neither side will trip each other’s country for the ICC events.

Pakistan and Australia meet again for the second T20I of the three-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, January 31. Pakistan head into the game with confidence after taking a 1–0 lead in the series.

In the first T20I, Pakistan showed a balanced performance to defeat Australia by 22 runs. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan scored total of 168/8 despite losing an early wicket. Saim Ayub and Salman Agha stabilized the innings with good knocks. Usman Khan and Mohammad Nawaz scored late runs to take the total to a fighting score. Adam Zampa was the best bowler for Australia with four wickets.

Australia began their innings strongly but lost their rhythm once the ball became softer. Pakistan’s spinners dominated the middle order, with Abrar Ahmed bowling an economical spell and taking crucial wickets. Australia could not recover and were restricted to 146/8, losing the match. Australia will try to bounce back and keep the series alive, while Pakistan will try to provide another impressive spin bowling performance to take an unassailable lead.

PAK vs AUS: Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

• Matches Played: 29
• Pakistan Won: 14
• Australia Won: 14
• No Result: 1

PAK vs AUS: Pitch Report

The pitch in Lahore offered good help to spinners in the first T20I. Once the ball got older, scoring became tough and timing the shots was not easy. Batters may need to play patiently, while spinners are expected to stay in the game again. Winning the toss and reading the conditions early could be crucial.

See Also: IND vs NZ, 5th T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

PAK vs AUS: Predicted Playing XIs

Pakistan (PAK):

Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (WK), Salman Agha (C), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Australia (AUS):

Travis Head (C), Matthew Short, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (WK), Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Mahli Beardman