• Pakistan will participate in the T20 World Cup but boycott the match against India.
• The decision stems from ongoing political tensions between the countries.
• Bangladesh's withdrawal over safety concerns influenced Pakistan's stance.
• The Pakistan Cricket Board criticized the ICC for not changing venues for Bangladesh.
• The match on February 15 could have severe financial implications for Pakistan.

Pakistan's cricket team has been cleared to participate in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup but will not participate in the clash against India scheduled for February 15, 2026, as confirmed by the government of Pakistan. The statement noted, "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled against India," according to Al Jazeera.

This decision emerges amid heightened political tensions between Pakistan and India, with the Pakistan team expected to play all their matches in Sri Lanka due to a previous agreement to play at neutral venues when one of the countries hosts an ICC event. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has underscored that participation was contingent upon government approval, as noted in Reuters and BBC.

The move to boycott comes following Bangladesh's withdrawal over safety fears regarding travel to India, causing Scotland to replace Bangladesh in the tournament. This context highlights the backdrop of security concerns and has led to criticisms of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which rejected the call to adjust game locations to ensure safety, further complicating the cricket landscape as mentioned in South China Morning Post.

By voiding the match against India, Pakistan could face significant financial repercussions, given that India-Pakistan matches are among the most-watched in the cricket world, noted by ICC statistics. The decision has sparked discussions within the cricketing community, with some Pakistani players and officials calling for strong governmental action against perceived injustices and political interference in sports, according to South China Morning Post.