Pakistan will forfeit their scheduled Group A match against India at the T20 World Cup 2026, slated to start on February 7.

A post issued by the Government of Pakistan's official X account confirmed that the Pakistan team will travel to Sri Lanka for the global tournament.

However, it added that "the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15 February 2026 against India". The statement did not specify a reason for making such a bold move.

"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," the post read.

Pakistan’s decision to boycott the Indian game comes days after ICC rejected Bangladesh’s plea to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka. BCB had expressed ‘security concerns” for their players in India following heightened tensions between the two countries and the release of Mustafizur Rahman by IPL franchise KKR on BCCI’s instructions.

However, the apex body turned down the request, saying no such verifiable threat existed while also citing the logistical difficulty of altering the tournament schedule so close to the event. Bangladesh maintained their stance and were later replaced by Scotland in the 20-team competition.

Subsequently, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that Pakistan government would take a final call on national team’s participation in the marquee event.

Earlier this week, a Pakistani media report claimed that PCB is prepared with a plan to proceed with the boycott of India game while avoiding sanctions from either the ICC or broadcasters.

“A total boycott of the event is not the top priority, however, Pakistan could forfeit the group match against India to be held on Feb 15,” a report in Dawn quoted a source as saying. “For this, solid grounds are available to the PCB, which could avoid any sanctions or penalty on it from the ICC.”

"Pakistan can say it is following the instructions of the government in not playing against India. In that case, the ICC cannot impose any cash penalty or sanctions on the PCB," the report added.

While PCB feels it has a way to avoid sanctions, the boycott of India match involves more complexities and the repercussions could leave Pakistan cricket in financial ruin.

Moreover, the ICC's Playing Conditions dictate that Pakistan's net run rate will be hit by the forfeiture.

Clause 16.10.7 states that in the event of a forfeit, "the net run rate of the defaulting team shall be affected in that the full 20 overs of the defaulting team's innings in such forfeited match shall be taken into account in calculating the average runs per over of the defaulting team over the course of the relevant portion of the competition."