Meanwhile, Former spinner Danish Kaneria opined that Pakistan's decision to boycott the T20 World Cup game against India will harm their own cricket more than anyone else's. "Pakistan had earlier requested that they would not come to India to play, and that request was accepted, so their matches were arranged at a neutral venue. In this World Cup, the India-Pakistan match was scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka.

"There is no logic in boycotting this match. Pakistan seems to think that it is supporting Bangladesh, which has already been knocked out of the tournament. But they should focus on their own cricket and where they are taking it. This sends a message that people will feel Pakistan are scared of facing India, which is why they are refusing to play," Kaneria told IANS.

Another important issue is whether Pakistan will also boycott India if they face each other in the knockout stages. According to a report by new agency, a top source in the PCB said the Board will follow government instructions in case another game against the arch-foes gets lined up during the knockout stage of the tournament.

Pakistan have already made their stance clear when it comes to the group stage match on February 15 but it remains to be seen whether they will continue to stick to their 'boycott' decision if the two teams ended up facing each other in the knockout stages of T20 World Cup.

BCCI vice president and Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, "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." 

"Begani Shadi mei abdullah deewana… Pakistan government has said that their team will participate in the T20 World Cup but will not play against India. There is absolutely no logic to this. This is the same Pakistan government and the same PCB that, after some time, will say that the dispute was actually Bangladesh's, the ICC imposed the ban, and we were ready to play and resolve the issue. This is nothing but a complete drama being created to mislead people. They are trying to project that we stand with Bangladesh," Harbhajan said on his Youtube channel.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) receives 5.75% of total ICC revenue, roughly USD 34.51 million annually. That pipeline depends on compliance, reliability, and participation. A voluntary withdrawal - crucially - is not covered under force majeure.

According to reports, both boards stand to immediately lose around Rs 200 crore each in direct and indirect revenue if the match doesn't happen. For India, that's painful but manageable. For Pakistan, it's existential math. The PCB receives 5.75% of total ICC revenue, roughly USD 34.51 million annually. That pipeline depends on compliance, reliability, and participation. A voluntary withdrawal - crucially - is not covered under force majeure.

“This decision has been taken keeping the political context in mind. Earlier, India had adopted such measures, introducing the neutral venue and the hybrid model. Considering the current political dynamics in South Asia, involving Pakistan and Bangladesh, this move is closely linked to the broader regional situation. Bangladesh is heading into elections, and elections are also due in West Bengal, which adds another layer to the context,” Rashid Latif told IANS.

“Yes, absolutely, we will go. But that is not our decision, sir, and we cannot do anything about it. Whatever our government and our chairman instruct us to do, we have to follow. Only then will we go, and we will do that,” Salman Ali Agha said in the press conference after Pakistan's third T20I against Australia.

Pakistan cricket team captain Salman Ali Agha reacted to the government's decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. Agha was asked about the 'boycott' and he made it clear that it was beyond the players' control as it was decided completely by the government. However, he added that the cricketers will follow the instructions given to them by the government as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The most immediate hit lands with the rights holder. Advertising revenue alone is estimated at Rs 300 crore for the India-Pakistan game. Broadcasters pay for certainty. A marquee clash disappearing mid-cycle isn't a scheduling inconvenience - it's a breach of value. JioStar had already formally sought a rebate from the ICC due to financial losses, this would strengthen their case Each World Cup match is internally valued at roughly Rs138.7 crore.

The India-Pakistan T20 contest is conservatively valued at USD 500 million (Rs 45,000 crore) when broadcast rights, advertising premiums, sponsorship activations, ticketing, and downstream commercial activity like legal betting and all other are taken together. No other single cricket match comes close. For broadcasters, it is the crown jewel. Advertising rates for an India-Pakistan T20 routinely command Rs 25-40 lakh for 10 seconds, dwarfing even India knockouts against other top teams. Remove that match, and the entire financial architecture of the tournament shifts.

NDTV sources have also confirmed that behind-the-scenes discussions are taking place to resolve the crisis, especially as the T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin in less than a week's time. Diplomatic channels have been opened, with stakeholders trying to broker a last-minute face-saver.

Full Suspension: Similar to the 1970s South Africa era, barring Pakistan from all international competition.

The "NOC" Freeze: Refusing to grant No Objection Certificates for foreign stars to play in the PSL, effectively crippling Pakistan's premier domestic league.

Financial Withholding: Freezing Pakistan's share of ICC revenue, estimated at roughly $34.5 million annually.

The ICC now preparing for a meeting that could change the map of world cricket forever. Outside, the clock is ticking: 48 hours remain before the governing body is expected to drop a verdict that might leave the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in total isolation. Sources have told NDTV that the Jay Shah-led ICC is contemplating imposing severe sanctions on Pakistan.

As per an exclusive report from NDTV, a high level meeting is set to be conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to discuss Pakistan's decision of boycotting the T20 World Cup 2026, Group-Stage match against India.  The meeting will be held in 48 hours. 

"I feel a little sorry for them, and I'm also a little surprised. What do they want? As they say, "When destruction is imminent, wisdom fails." Because if Pakistan doesn't play this match and concede the points, and then you meet India later, will you still not play? So if you've decided this, then you haven't left ICC with any option. ICC will have to kick them out because it would be blackmail, wouldn't it?... They don't know the financial loss will be significant," Atul Wassan told ANI. 

"Team India will travel to Sri Lanka and follow ICC protocol. They will practice as per schedule, do a press conference and reach the stadium according to time and wait for the match referee to call off the match," a BCCI source told news agency ANI. 

Despite Pakistan deciding to boycott their group stage T20 World Cup clash against India on February 15, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources have said that that the Men in Blue will travel to Sri Lanka for the match as per ICC protocol and wait for the match referee to call off the match.

The other sanctions could range from top member nations refusing to play bilateral series with them, hefty financial sanctions and also, ban on overseas players' participation in the PSL.

ICC is set to take a slew of punitive actions against Pakistan in the wake of their government's decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India, including a possible ban from the upcoming edition of the marquee event.

“ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions. 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 fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan," stated ICC in an official release. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) reacted to Pakistan's decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 group stage match against India. The ICC said in their official statement that the decision undermines the integrity of global cricket and can have long-term implications on the sport. The statement added that the ICC has still not received any official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about the decision.

Pakistan were scheduled to face India in a group stage match in Colombo on February 15. The decision was taken by the government following the International Cricket Council's (ICC) removal of Bangladesh from the tournament. Bangladesh requested ICC to shift their matches from India citing 'security concerns' but their request was denied.

“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 on 15th February 2026 against India,” the government posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the developments regarding Pakistan's decision of boycotting the match against India at the T20 World Cup 2026. The Pakistan government took to social media on Sunday and announced their decision.