The drama around the India-Pakistan conflict is just not coming full circle. It is extending day by day as Pakistan are set to give the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 game a miss. A day after the Pakistan government publicly announced that its team will boycott the February 15 match against India in Colombo, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has chosen a far more curious route by saying nothing to the ICC.
Yes, Pakistan have flown to Sri Lanka. Yes, the government has cleared participation in the tournament. And yet, the PCB has decided not to send a single formal communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirming the boycott. The result? An India-Pakistan match that technically still exists on paper, even as Pakistan insist they will not play it. Intentionally, Pakistan are deliberately keeping the ICC, broadcasters and fans suspended in uncertainty.
PCB refuses to put boycott in writing, ICC left waiting
According to reports, the ICC is waiting for an official letter from the PCB before taking any concrete decision. Without that communication, the governing body’s hands are tied. The match stays scheduled, officials stay silent, and the circus rolls on.
PCB sources have defended the move by claiming that since the boycott decision came directly from the government and was conveyed through an official platform, there is “no need” to inform the ICC separately.
“Since it’s a government decision and conveyed through an official platform, there is no need to write to the ICC,” sources told Telecom Asia Sports. “Did India at any point convey to the ICC that they would not travel to Pakistan? And when it was once demanded of India to show the government’s letter, they never produced it. So is there a need to give anything in writing? No.”
The problem with that logic is simple. India never announced a boycott on the eve of a World Cup. Pakistan has. And now, by refusing to formalise it, the PCB is effectively daring the ICC to blink first. Also, there has been an agreement in place which has states that India and Pakistan will play each other at neutral venues. The pact came into existence since the ODI Champions Trophy 2025 and will stay true till the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India, meanwhile, are taking the straight road. Suryakumar Yadav’s side will travel to Colombo, train as scheduled, attend the pre-match press conference and walk out for the toss. If Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha does not appear, the referee will have no option but to award a walkover and two points to India. If India don’t show up, both teams get one point. That is exactly why India are going to ensure Pakistan don’t escape consequences.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule
| Date | Match | Teams | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Feb 4 | 9th Match, Warm-up | Ireland vs Pakistan | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club | 11:30 AM |
| Sat, Feb 7 | 1st Match, Group A | Pakistan vs Netherlands | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club | 11:00 AM |
| Tue, Feb 10 | 12th Match, Group A | Pakistan vs USA | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club | 7:00 PM |
| Sun, Feb 15 | 27th Match, Group A | India vs Pakistan | Colombo, R. Premadasa Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| Wed, Feb 18 | 35th Match, Group A | Pakistan vs Namibia | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club | 3:00 PM |
