India vs Pakistan NOT CANCELLED? BCCI’s Sri Lanka travel plans for T20 World Cup revealed

2026 T20 World Cup is five days away from its scheduled start. Two co-hosts, India and Sri Lanka, will leave no stone unturned to make this event one of the most remarkable ones. The teams will already travel to their respective destinations of India and Sri Lanka for their initial games of the group stage. The 20 teams are all set for the biggest cricketing event of the year.

India vs Pakistan, which is scheduled on the 15th of February, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, will be one of the games to watch out for in the competition. However, there have been controversies surrounding this match as Salman Ali Agha's side has not officially confirmed its participation in the major ICC event.

Will Pakistan travel for the T20 World Cup?

New controversies arise with reports that Salman Ali Agha and his boys might travel to Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup but might boycott the game against India. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is backing the government's decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026. However, India is expected to follow ICC protocol and fly to Sri Lanka while waiting for the match referee to formally call the game off.

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According to ANI reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the Men in Blue will travel to Colombo for the scheduled fixture, regardless of the PCB team's decision. The reigning champions will follow all ICC protocols, including pre-match training sessions and the press conference.

As per the source from BCCI, "Team India will travel to Sri Lanka and follow ICC protocol. They will practise as scheduled, do the press conference, reach the stadium on time, and wait for the match referee to call off the match."

What happens if Pakistan boycotts the game against India?

As per the rules formed by the apex body, a walkover is awarded only if one team fails to be present at the ground during the time of the coin toss. Thus, team India captain Suryakumar Yadav will be walking out for the toss, and if his counterpart Salman Ali Agha does not come out during the time of the toss, the match referee will award India the walkover and the two points as well.

The Men in Green cricketers are already cleared to compete in the remainder of the T20 World Cup, however informed about boycotting the game against India via a government-issued social media post. The statement posted on X read, “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 team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15 February 2026 against India.”

Will ICC impose sanctions if any team boycotts?

After this post, there have been tensions between the ICC and the PCB, as it has not gone well with the global cricket body, ICC questioned the decision and warned that the boycott could invite sanctions.

ICC stated, "The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country, as this decision is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem."

"While the ICC respects the role 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."

Also Read: Pakistan says YES to T20 World Cup but NO to India clash; boycott ROCKS global cricket