Team India will go to Sri Lanka for the IND vs PAK match. (Photo- PTI)
IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup: A new twist has come regarding the India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026. The Pakistan government has recently announced that their team will participate in the tournament and play the remaining matches in Sri Lanka, but will not participate in the group stage match against India in Colombo on 15 February. This means that Team India will be given a walkover and will get 2 points without playing, which they get if they win the match. However, the Indian team will tour Sri Lanka for this match.
Team India will go to Sri Lanka for IND vs PAK match
Even though Pakistan has decided not to play the match against India, Team India will follow the ICC protocols during the tournament. According to ICC protocol, Team India will go to Sri Lanka for this match. According to reports, the Indian team will reach Sri Lanka on 15 February. The team will practice there as per the schedule, will also hold a press conference and will also go to the stadium at the time of the match. If the Pakistan team does not take the field, the match referee will declare the match cancelled. The Indian team will wait for this entire process and will return after getting the walkover.
Let us tell you, the tournament is being organized jointly by India and Sri Lanka, in which most of the matches of India are kept in India and all the matches of Pakistan are kept in Sri Lanka. Pakistan had refused to play in India due to political reasons, after which ICC shifted their matches to neutral venues. Due to which this match is to be held at R Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo. Now this decision of Pakistan is like a unilateral boycott, due to which the match will be considered forfeit and India is sure to get 2 points.
This statement came from ICC
After this decision of Pakistan, ICC’s statement has also come out. ICC has appealed to the Pakistan Cricket Board to rethink its decision and find a solution together. ICC said, ‘They are waiting for official information from Pakistan Cricket Board. ICC tournaments are based on sporting integrity, competition, consistency and fairness. In such a situation, selective participation weakens the sanctity and spirit of the tournament. However, the ICC respects the role of governments in matters related to national policies.