Pakistan to play Twenty20 World Cup but will boycott game against India

"Pakistan will boycott their Twenty20 World Cup match against India on 15 February, the Pakistan government said on Sunday while approving the team's participation in the tournament. The government grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the World T20, however, the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match against India, the post on the government's X account said."

"Pakistan are scheduled to play their Group A matches in Sri Lanka in keeping with their policy of not touring India due to geopolitical tensions. Bilateral cricket remains suspended between the neighbours, who engaged in a military conflict that nearly snowballed into a fully fledged war last year. Their fraught political relations prompted the governing International Cricket Council to broker an arrangement allowing them to play at a neutral venue when their neighbour hosts a global tournament."

"This is not the first example of political tension affecting the tournament. Bangladesh have been replaced by Scotland in the global showpiece after their refusal to travel to India over safety concerns. The latest setback is a continuation of the soured India-Pakistan relations, which manifested in last year's Asia Cup in Dubai. India beat Pakistan three times in the tournament, including in the 28 September final, but refused to shake hands with their opponents."

Pakistan will boycott its Twenty20 World Cup match against India on 15 February while the government approved the team's participation in the tournament. The government granted approval but specified the team shall not take the field against India. Pakistan are scheduled to play Group A matches in Sri Lanka under a policy of not touring India due to geopolitical tensions. Bilateral cricket remains suspended after a military conflict last year. The ICC arranged neutral venues for matches between the neighbours. The boycott follows political impacts on cricket, including Bangladesh's replacement by Scotland and tensions during last year's Asia Cup.

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