In a move driven by regional cricket politics, Pakistan’s federal government has approved the national team’s participation in the Men’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026, while instructing it to boycott the high-profile match against India scheduled for February 15.
The Pakistan government announced on Sunday that it has permitted the national cricket team to take part in the Men’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but has prohibited the team from playing its scheduled match against India on February 15.
With just five days to go before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins in India and Sri Lanka, uncertainty continues to surround Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.
Pakistan produced a dominant all-round performance to hammer Australia by 90 runs in the second T20I at Lahore on Friday, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Political and diplomatic tensions between countries are once again spilling over into the sporting arena, creating an uneasy atmosphere in world cricket ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Australia have been dealt a major setback ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with fast bowler Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
Pakistan stood firmly by Bangladesh throughout its standoff with India and the ICC over the T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh will not feature in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after refusing to travel to India, a decision that led the International Cricket Council (ICC) to include Scotland as a replacement.
Pakistan made a winning start to the T20I series against Australia with a 22-run victory in the opening match at Lahore on Wednesday night.
Bangladesh will not take part in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after refusing to play matches in India, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirming Scotland as their replacement.
Sri Lanka will deploy elite armed units to protect teams at next month's T20 World Cup, part of enhanced security measures with a special emphasis on matches between perennial rivals India and Pakistan, officials have told AFP.
Spin-bowling allrounder Sophie Molineux was named captain of the all-conquering Australian women's cricket team across all three formats on Thursday, replacing the retiring Alyssa Healy.