Pakistan’s government announced on February 1 that the national team will participate in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but will boycott its scheduled match against India. The decision was made in protest of an ICC ruling related to Bangladesh. Following the announcement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) responded with a statement urging Pakistan to reconsider its stance and to uphold the spirit of global competition.

The ICC noted that it respects national policies but emphasized that a boycott contradicts the fundamental purpose of a global sporting event, where all qualified teams are expected to compete under equal conditions. It warned that Pakistan’s decision could harm the integrity and fairness of the tournament and negatively affect fans worldwide. The ICC also stated it is awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the matter.

Expressing optimism for resolution, the ICC said its priority is to ensure the World Cup’s successful completion and encouraged the PCB to find a mutually acceptable solution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.