Pakistan has officially announced it will not take the field against India in their scheduled T20 World Cup match on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The decision was confirmed by the Pakistani government following a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. Pakistan will forfeit two points if they do not play the match, which is part of the group stage where Pakistan is drawn in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The boycott stems from political tensions and ICC's recent decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament due to security concerns raised by Bangladesh about playing in India. Pakistan's government and cricket authorities have criticized what they see as double standards by the ICC, especially given Pakistan's own security concerns and the fact that all Pakistan matches are scheduled in Sri Lanka. Pakistan's stance is also a protest against the ICC's handling of the Bangladesh situation, which Pakistan claims was unfair. The decision to boycott the India match was made despite Pakistan confirming participation in the tournament overall, which runs from February 7 to March 8. The boycott could have significant implications for the tournament, as India is a major draw for viewers and revenue. If Pakistan refuses to play India, they will automatically earn two points, potentially affecting the tournament's competitiveness. The move marks a continuation of the strained cricketing relations between India and Pakistan, which have been tense since 2012 and have seen limited bilateral matches. The ICC has not yet announced any action regarding Pakistan's boycott, but the decision is viewed as a political protest that could impact the tournament's integrity and commercial prospects.