Updated On: 02 February, 2026 07:58 AM IST | Lahore | PTI
Pakistan on Sunday officially announced it will boycott its high-profile ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, while confirming participation in the rest of the tournament starting February 7. The decision, cleared by the Pakistan government, is being viewed as a protest after the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav (right) and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during their match at the Asia Cup in Dubai last year. Pic/AFP
Pakistan on Sunday formally announced its decision to boycott its marquee ICC T20 World Cup group league match against India, even as the government cleared the national team’s participation for the rest of the tournament, starting February 7.
Pakistan government’s decision is being perceived as a mark of protest after ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland not accepting the latter’s demand of shifting its matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security reasons.