Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met with Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore to discuss Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Following the consultations, the government approved the national team’s participation in the tournament but decided that Pakistan will not play its scheduled match against India on February 15, 2026, in accordance with government directives.
The discussions focused on balancing international cricket commitments with security, scheduling, and diplomatic considerations. A government spokesperson confirmed that Pakistan will compete in the World Cup while refraining from the India fixture.
Pakistan’s participation had been under scrutiny for weeks. The ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to change its tournament venue, prompting Bangladesh to withdraw and Scotland to replace them, adding pressure on the PCB, which had previously supported Bangladesh’s stance.
Pakistan is now set to begin its World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, competing in Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, and other key teams. Under the hybrid hosting model, Pakistan’s group-stage matches will take place in Sri Lanka, while India remains a co-host, a factor that has raised additional considerations for the PCB.
