India to travel for Pakistan T20 World Cup clash despite boycott, says captain Suryakumar
- Last updated: February 5, 2026 | 21:05 ..
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said on Thursday that his team would travel to Colombo as planned for their Twenty20 World Cup clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, despite Pakistan’s decision to boycott the match citing geopolitical tensions.
The Pakistan government directed its team to boycott the Feb.15 Group A contest to show solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland following their refusal to tour India over safety concerns.
“Our mindset is clear,” Suryakumar told reporters at the captains’ pre-tournament press conference in Mumbai on Thursday.
“We have not refused to play — they have. We’ve booked our flight and we are going.”
India, currently the top-ranked T20 team, are aiming to become the first side to defend the title, and also the first hosts to win the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan’s boycott of the India match would leave them with little margin for error in their bid to reach the Super-8 stage, as only the top two teams from each group in the 20-team tournament advance.
Group A also features Namibia, the Netherlands, and the US, who shocked Pakistan in the 2024 edition of the tournament.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha said the decision to boycott the game against India was ‘not in our control’.
“It’s a government decision, and we respect that,” Salman told reporters in Colombo.
“Yeah, we lost to US in the last World Cup, but that’s history now. It’s a new World Cup, it’s a new team, and it’s a new combination.
“All three teams in our group, they are very good sides... So we are preparing for these games like we always do against any other team.”
Pakistan will seek advice from their government if they reach the knockout phase of the T20 World Cup and meet arch-rivals India, captain Salman Agha said on Thursday.
The tournament has been marred by an acrimonious political buildup after Bangladesh were kicked out and Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A match.
However, a semi-final or final showdown between the uneasy South Asian neighbours is still a possibility.
Bangladesh refused to play in India, citing security concerns, as relations soured and were kicked out of Group C by the International Cricket Council, to be replaced by Scotland.
Pakistan backed Bangladesh’s plea to have their games moved to Sri Lanka.
The government in Islamabad cleared the national team to take part but ordered them not to play in the marquee group match against India on Feb.15.
“It’s sad Bangladesh are not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully they will support us,” Agha said.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in multinational events.
They will face Namibia, the Netherlands and the US in the group stage.
“We’re excited to play in this tournament. We lost to US in the last World Cup and we are determined to put that disappointment behind us and put a few things right,” Agha said.
Pakistan will not only lose two points for forfeiting their India match but will also take a big hit to their net run rate.
Even losing one of their group games to bad weather could make it difficult for Pakistan to qualify.
“We know the margin for error is small, but we can’t control the weather. We are here to play good cricket and we’re not bothered about the conditions,” Agha said.
Pakistan, the 2009 champions, arrive after a 3-0 whitewash of Australia at home.
“We’ve been playing really good cricket. We haven’t lost a series since the Asia Cup last year. Everything is coming along nicely and we’re confident of doing well,” Agha said.
All of Pakistan’s games will be played in Sri Lanka, where they toured in January.
“Very happy to play in Sri Lanka -- it’s a second home for me. This is my sixth visit, we know the conditions and we get a lot of support,” Agha said.
Agencies