Pakistan has confirmed its participation in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup but will not take the field for its scheduled match against arch-rival India. The decision, authorized by the government, was formally announced on Sunday.
A government statement clarified that while approval has been granted for the national team to compete in the tournament, it will not proceed with the fixture set for February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Due to longstanding geopolitical tensions, Pakistan maintains a policy of not touring India. Consequently, its Group A matches have been allocated to Sri Lanka. Bilateral cricket series between the two nations remain suspended, a situation that persists following heightened military tensions between them last year.
This diplomatic impasse has previously led the International Cricket Council to arrange for the teams to meet at neutral venues during global events hosted by India. Pakistan, which won the T20 World Cup in 2009, had named its squad for the tournament earlier, contingent on final government clearance.
The boycott of the marquee India-Pakistan match represents a significant setback for the event, as contests between the two sides are widely considered the sport’s most anticipated spectacle.
Political discord has impacted the tournament’s composition before. Notably, Bangladesh withdrew from the competition over security concerns related to traveling to India and has been replaced by Scotland.
The current standoff continues a pattern of strained relations evident during last year’s Asia Cup in Dubai. Despite competing in the event, which India won, the Indian team notably refused post-match handshakes with Pakistani players and declined to receive the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council president, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.
