New Delhi: After a month of a frantic course of events between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Bangladesh Cricket Board (PCB), International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Board of Cricket Council of India (BCCI), the biggest rivalry in cricket, India and Pakistan, will clash in Colombo on February 15.
With the Pakistan government withdrawing their decision to boycott India’s match and the intense drama of a month officially ending, let’s take a look at the timeline of the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 saga.
Jan 3, 2026: KKR release Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026 squad
With the countdown for the global tournament having begun, the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, tensions between India and Bangladesh escalated outside cricket as Hindus were killed in Bangladesh, and with public outrage and recent developments, the BCCI instructed the KKR franchise to release Mustafizur Rahman, who was purchased for Rs 9.2 crore in the mini auction.
Indian political and spiritual leaders were heavily criticising KKR and their owner, Shah Rukh Khan, for Rahman’s inclusion in the side despite knowing the Hindu minorities are being attacked in Bangladesh.
Jan 4, 2026: Bangladesh refuse to travel to India for T20 WC
Following Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL 2026, a day later, Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, citing the ‘safety and well-being’ of the Bangladesh players.
The Bangladesh government advised the Bangladesh cricket team not to travel to India, given the current political ties between the two countries.
Jan 21, 2026: ICC rejects BCB request to move matches to Sri Lanka
After refusing to travel to India for the World Cup, Bangladesh requested to move their matches from India to Sri Lanka. But the ICC has rejected Bangladesh’s demand, stating the matches will run as per schedule.
ICC also clarified that there is no credible threat to the Bangladeshi players, fans, and officials in India.
Jan 23, 2026: ICC confirms Scotland will replace Bangladesh
ICC has been negotiating with Bangladesh for nearly three weeks, but with BCB repeatedly refusing to travel to India, ICC replaced them with Scotland for the T20 WC 2026.
ICC gave a 24-hour deadline to Bangladesh to confirm its participation in the tournament; with no confirmation having been received, ICC replaced Scotland with Bangladesh.
Jan 25, 2026: Boycott calls gain momentum in Pakistan
With Bangladesh officially replaced by Scotland in the T20 WC, a boycott call gained momentum in Pakistan. The India vs Pakistan match at the T20 WC went under the radar, as the Pakistanis wanted their team to boycott the match against India.
Jan 26, 2026: PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi seeks Pakistan government advice on T20 WC participation
A day later, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the Pakistan government will take the final decision on whether the Pakistan cricket team will participate in the T20 WC or not, following Bangladesh’s removal from the event.
Feb 1, 2026: Pakistan government formally announce boycott of India match
Pakistan’s government agreed to allow its national cricket team to participate in the T20 World Cup but announced that they will not take the field in the game against India on February 15.
It was a direct protest from PCB, as ICC refused to move Bangladesh games out of India and replaced them in the World Cup. At the time of Bangladesh’s cause at the ICC Board Meeting, Pakistan was the only nation to support Bangladesh in the T20 WC matter.
Feb 2, 2026: ICC releases statement on Pakistan’s boycott of India game
With PCB confirming its stance on boycotting the India match at the World Cup, ICC released a statement, stating ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency, and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of competitions.
The Pakistani government didn’t explain any reason behind their move, and the ICC opened up about all the sanctions that the PCB would face if they boycotted the India match on February 15.
Feb 6, 2026: Sri Lanka cricket writes to PCB to reconsider boycott decision
The co-host of the T20 WC 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket, urged PCB to reconsider their boycott decision against the India match, fearing financial losses for multiple stakeholders.
SLC wrote about the disruption in every field, including tourism, cancellations of hotel and flight bookings, and local logistical suppliers.
Feb 7, 2026: ICC, BCB, PCB hold talks in Lahore
ICC directors Imran Khwaja and Mubashir Usmani, BCB President Aminul Islam, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi were involved in a discussion regarding Pakistan’s boycott call in the India game.
Feb 9, 2026: BCB requests Pakistan to reverse its decision
After the meeting in Lahore between ICC, BCB, and PCB, Bangladesh urged Pakistan to reverse their boycott decision against India. BCB President said, “I request Pakistan to play the game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem.”
Feb 9, 2026: Pakistan government ends boycott call
The Pakistan government directed its national cricket team to take the field on February 15 against India at Colombo, reversing their boycott decision.
The Pakistan government confirmed that it reviewed the formal requests by the BCB and the supporting communication from the UAE, Sri Lanka, and other member nations.