Pakistan will not take part in their scheduled Twenty20 World Cup fixture against India on February 15, the government announced on Sunday, even as it cleared the national side to compete in the tournament.
In a statement shared on its official X account, the Government of Pakistan confirmed it had allowed the team to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but stated that “the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field” against India.
Authorities did not specify any grounds for the decision.
The development brings to a close weeks of speculation surrounding Pakistan’s involvement, after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi indicated that government approval was necessary for the team’s travel and participation.
Earlier, Pakistan had announced a 15-member squad for the competition, with Salman Agha named as captain.
The tournament is set to begin on February 7.
Pakistan are due to play all of their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, a result of ongoing political tensions with India, which is hosting most of the event.
Those strained relations have increasingly cast a shadow over the tournament.
In a related development, Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland after declining to tour India over security concerns, a decision that was not accepted by the International Cricket Council.
