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Pakistan to play in T20 World Cup but will boycott India clash
India and Pakistan agreed last year to play at neutral venues when either country is hosting an ICC event
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Pakistan’s government says the national cricket team will be allowed to take part in the coming T20 World Cup but must boycott its group game against arch-rival India.
India and Sri Lanka are co-hosts for the 20-team tournament, which starts on Saturday.
Pakistan will play all its games in Sri Lanka – including any in the knockout stage – because of political tensions with India.
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The two teams are scheduled to meet in a Group A game in Colombo on February 15 in what is often a tournament highlight for fans, broadcasters and organisers alike. That is looking in doubt this time.
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026,” the government posted on Sunday on its official social media account. “However, the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on February 15 against India.”
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No reason was given for Pakistan boycotting the game against India, but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had criticised governing body International Cricket Council (ICC) for “double standards” by refusing to shift Bangladesh’s games to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland for the tournament.
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