Here's full timeline of will Pakistan play vs India.
Will Pakistan play vs India in T20 World Cup 2026? It’s a burning question among all cricket fans, and it has stirred chaos between the ICC and PCB. Let’s take a detailed look at how the IND vs PAK has unfolded shortly before the ICC event, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
All T20 World Cup 2026 Squads: Every Squad Named for the Upcoming ICC Tournament
Notably, if Pakistan boycott India match, it will affect their T20 World Cup 2026 chances. As per the ICC forfeit rules, India will be granted two points, and their NRR will remain the same. While Pakistan may not get any points, their NRR might also take a heavy beating. Of course, it will not matter if they win the other three games against the Netherlands, the USA, and Namibia. However, Pakistan vs Namibia may have an interruption.
Here are date-wise latest updates on will Pakistan play vs India.
February 9, 2026
In an official communique, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) extended its gratitude to the PCB and chairman Mohsin Naqvi for their solidarity. Furthermore, the Bangladesh board urged Pakistan not to boycott the clash against India and instead play in it.
The statement from BCB president Md Aminul Islam read, “Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussion, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem.”
February 9, 2026
Pakistan Cricket Board made a few demands to ICC to take field in the IND vs PAK clash. According to the reports, Pakistan have issued following terms:
It is impotant to note that, while the revenue sharing is under ICC’s purview, the other two terms are up to individual boards. In this case, BCCI. On the other hand, the matter has now reached the office of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is expected to put his stamp of approval.
Furthermore, BCCI and PCB have also demanded for a tri-series with India.
February 7, 2026
Pakistan took the field against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7 for the tournament opener. They won the match comfortably by three wickets. Meanwhile, PCB initiated talks with the ICC after the serious repercussions that could follow if Pakistan boycott India match. This move, thus, reopens discussions on will Pakistan play vs India.
“The ICC will now engage in a structured manner to solve the problem; there would be a dialogue, not confrontation,” an official close to the sources said.
February 5, 2026
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the ICC event, India captain Suryakumar Yadav shared India cricket team’s stance.
He said, “We didn’t turn down to play against them. They’ve refused on the other side. Our flight to Colombo is booked, we’re going. The rest, we’ll see.”
February 5, 2026
Sri Lankan board president Shamni Silva wrote to PCB amid the ongoing discussions of will Pakistan play vs India. The plea mentioned how the sale of tickets and tourism will take a hit, while also reminding Pakistan of their previous close relations. Moreover, the India boycott is too close to the fixture, implying that most of the arrangements are already taken care of.
February 4, 2026
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has further backed the decision to boycott the high-profile game. He said that the decision comes after they stand with Bangladesh.
“We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won’t play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field. We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision.”
February 2, 2026
Another upcoming tourney of the Women’s Rising Stars Asia Cup remains affected amid discussions on will Pakistan play vs India in the T20 World Cup 2026. The arch rivals are set to clash on the same day, February 15, in Bangkok.
February 2, 2026
The vice-president of the BCCI, Rajiv Shukla, shares his thoughts on the fiasco of will Pakistan play vs India.
He spoke to ANI, “ICC has issued a big statement, they have spoken about sportsmanship. We completely agree with the ICC. BCCI won’t make any comments on it until we speak with the ICC.”
February 2, 2025
After a 3-0 clean sweep over Australia in the T20I series, captain Salman Agha shares his views.
“We are definitely going for the World Cup. That is not our decision. We can’t do anything. What our government, our (PCB) chairman say, we have do that. So what they tell us we’ll do that,” he said.
February 1, 2026
The decision of will Pakistan play vs India takes centre stage with less than a week for the tournament opener. After warning PCB of possible sanctions over boycotting India match, ICC urged the board to consider their decision. However, unlike Bangladesh’s exit, no deadline was conveyed.
ICC’s statement reads, “While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of the fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan. The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of. It [ICC] expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interest of all stakeholders.”
February 1, 2026
ICC warns Pakistan of pulling out of the mega event closer to the date. The likely sanctions include:
February 1, 2026
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan approved the cricket team to take part in the T20 World Cup 2026. However, their statement also included that the team will not take the field on February 15, 2026, in Colombo, for their group-stage match against India. Notably, both teams are placed in Group A along with the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia.
January 28, 2026
Mohsin Naqvi and Shehbaz Sharif discuss the team’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026. As of the date, there was no mention of will Pakistan play vs India. The PCB chairman mentions that they will confirm their decision by February 1, 2026.
January 26, 2026
After Bangladesh’s exit, doubts start over will Pakistan play vs India. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the decision to participate in the T20 World Cup is with the national government. He made further comments on ICC’s “double standards”, referring to how the Pakistan cricket team adjusted during the Champions Trophy 2025.
Turning back time, India had requested a change of venue from hosts, Pakistan, to a neutral venue like Sri Lanka or the UAE, months before the start of the coveted ICC 50-over event. This comes after the two rival countries decided not tour each other until 2031. On the other hand, Pakistan and Bangladesh’s pleas came just weeks before the commencement of the 20-over tourney.
January 25, 2026
The PCB announces a 15-member squad with two notable omissions.
January 24, 2026
The International Cricket Council announced that Scotland will join the T20 World Cup 2026. They replace Bangladesh for all the fixtures.
Why Scotland were chosen over other Associate nations: explained
January 22, 2026
Bangladesh hold ground and denies budging from their stance. While the issue started as an ICC vs BCB row, it had a domino effect on will Pakistan play vs India.
January 21, 2026
In a meeting conducted by the ICC with the board members, only Bangladesh and Pakistan voted for changing venues. After an independent assessment, ICC also confirmed that there is “no credible threat” to the visiting players. Thus, the governing council gave a deadline of 24 hours to BCB to confirm their participation.
Full timeline of ICC vs BCB row explained
January 6 to 12, 2026
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) commented on how the BCCI may not be able to handle the security of a full team, if not protecting the safety of one player during the IPL season. The board also asked to stop the broadcast of the Indian Premier League in their country. Later, BCB made a formal, written request to the ICC to move all of their T20 World Cup 2026 games to Sri Lanka.
All groups and full fixtures of T20 World Cup 2026
January 3, 2026
Mustafizur Rahman was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. In the wake of political affairs, BCCI asked KKR to remove the pacer from their squad.
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