The T20 World Cup 2026 fixture between India and Pakistan hangs in the balance. Pakistan’s government announced a boycott of the match, set for February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
This news, discussed across cricket forums and perhaps on a show like Stumped, adds a new layer of political tension to an already fraught rivalry. India, for its part, confirmed travel to the neutral venue regardless of Pakistan’s decision. It sounds like India is ready to play.
Colombo Match Faces Uncertainty
The highly anticipated India versus Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match has a February 15 date in Colombo. This neutral venue was picked after talks between the ICC, BCCI, and the Indian government. But Pakistan’s government took a stance. They will boycott the match.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, spoke out. He made India’s position clear at a Mumbai media briefing on February 5, 2026. “Our mindset is clear,” Yadav stated. “We did not refuse to play them. The refusal came from them.” He confirmed India’s flight to Colombo is booked. The team will go.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced his government’s “considered stance” a year prior, on February 4, 2025. He said the government did not want “politics in sport.” But this decision brings politics right into the heart of cricket. It makes things difficult for everyone involved.
India’s Unwavering Stance
India’s team is not backing down. Captain Suryakumar Yadav made that clear. He said the ICC set the fixture, and India coordinated with the BCCI and government to play at a neutral spot. India isn’t the one refusing to play. That came from Pakistan.
“Our flight to Colombo is booked. So we are going. We’ll see what happens later.”
— Suryakumar Yadav, India Captain
Yadav acknowledged the difficulty for the governing bodies. “It is a difficult call for them as well,” he said. He knows it’ll be a tough situation. But he confirms that if the fixtures are ready, India will play. This shows a strong commitment from the Indian side, despite the external pressures. They’re focused on the game.
A History of Political Interference
This isn’t the first time politics has messed with India-Pakistan cricket. Similar issues came up about six months before this T20 World Cup drama. That was during the Asia Cup. The BCCI instructed the Indian team not to shake hands with Pakistan’s team at the behest of the Indian government.
And after India won the Asia Cup, more drama unfolded. India’s team refused to take the trophy from ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He also wouldn’t hand it over. This shows a pattern. The two nations have a complicated relationship on and off the field, a situation documented in reports leading up to this event.
The ICC organized the upcoming match. The BCCI and the Indian government worked together on picking Sri Lanka as the venue. That was intended as a good compromise. But Pakistan’s government decision changes everything. It puts the ICC in a tough spot. They have to manage this political football. It’s not an easy job for them, as Yadav pointed out.
What Happens Next?
As of February 5, 2026, the match is still on the schedule. India confirmed its participation and travel plans to Colombo. The ball is now in Pakistan’s court. Their final decision on playing remains unconfirmed publicly. It leaves fans wondering if they will see the biggest rivalry in cricket.
This situation puts cricket’s global body, the ICC, under pressure. They want to see these matches happen. They need to figure out a path forward. But if one nation’s government refuses to let its team play, it makes things messy. The hope remains that sport can win out over politics. But history shows that’s a tough ask here. We’ll wait and see.
Soureesh Datta 
Sagnik Banerjee 
Priyanjan Paul