LAHORE: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore to hold detailed consultations regarding Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The high-level meeting focused on key matters related to national policy, security considerations, and Pakistan’s commitments to international cricket events.
Following the meeting, the government formally granted approval for the Pakistan cricket team to take part in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. However, it was decided that Pakistan will not play its scheduled match against India on February 15, 2026. The decision was taken in line with government directives and broader diplomatic considerations.
Sources familiar with the discussions said the meeting aimed to strike a balance between maintaining Pakistan’s presence on the global cricket stage and adhering to national interests. Security arrangements, scheduling challenges, and regional sensitivities were also reviewed in detail during the consultation between the prime minister and the PCB chairman.
A government spokesperson later confirmed the decision through an official statement shared on social media. The spokesperson emphasized that while Pakistan remains committed to participating in the ICC T20 World Cup, the national team will not take the field for the fixture against India as per government policy.
Pakistan’s participation in the tournament had been under close scrutiny for several weeks due to regional developments and decisions taken by other cricket boards. The International Cricket Council recently rejected Bangladesh’s request to change its tournament venue, leading Bangladesh to withdraw from the event. Scotland was subsequently named as their replacement, adding further complexity to the tournament dynamics.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had earlier expressed support for Bangladesh’s position during the venue dispute, which increased pressure on PCB officials as they awaited clarity from the government regarding Pakistan’s own participation.
According to the current schedule, Pakistan will begin its ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the Netherlands on February 7. The team has been placed in Group A alongside the United States, Namibia, and other competitive sides, making the group stage crucial for qualification.
Under the tournament’s hybrid hosting model, Pakistan’s group-stage matches will be played in Sri Lanka, despite India being one of the official co-hosts. This arrangement has raised concerns within the PCB, but officials have stated they will fully cooperate with the ICC to ensure smooth participation.
Cricket analysts believe Pakistan’s inclusion, despite skipping the India match, will keep the tournament competitive while reflecting the complex intersection of sports and diplomacy in international cricket.
