T20 World Cup: India to follow ICC protocol, team to travel to Sri Lanka; Pakistan’s drama continues

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Pakistan has refused to play its T20 World Cup match against India. Despite this, the Indian team will travel to Sri Lanka for the scheduled fixture. India and Pakistan are placed in the same group of the T20 World Cup, and their match is set to be held on February 15 in Colombo.

According to available information, Team India will strictly adhere to ICC protocols and will therefore travel to Colombo as planned. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will wait for the match referee’s official decision regarding the status of the game. If Pakistan does not take the field, the referee is expected to declare the match abandoned or cancelled as per ICC rules.

It is worth noting that Pakistan had earlier indirectly threatened to withdraw from the T20 World Cup. However, it later reversed its stand and confirmed participation in the tournament. Despite agreeing to play the World Cup, Pakistan maintained its rigid position and decided not to play against India.

On Sunday, the Pakistan government posted on ‘X’ stating that the Pakistan cricket team would not take the field for the match scheduled against India on February 15. Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and briefed him on the entire situation related to the Bangladesh dispute and the India match issue.