The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the Indian team will strictly adhere to all International Cricket Council (ICC) protocols for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash on February 15, despite the Pakistan government’s official confirmation that their team will boycott the fixture.

According to BCCI sources, India intends to treat the schedule as unchanged.

Media reports suggest that India will travel to Sri Lanka on 15th February and follow ICC protocol. They will practice as per schedule, and also reach the stadium on time and wait for the match referee to call off the match.

This procedural adherence ensures that India will likely be awarded the match points via forfeiture if Pakistan fails to take the field.

The standoff intensified on Sunday when the Pakistan government announced via social media that while the national team is cleared to participate in the 2026 tournament, they are forbidden from playing against arch-rivals India.

This decision follows high-level meetings between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has publicly criticized the ICC for alleged “double standard” and BCCI influence.

The diplomatic crisis stems from the ICC's earlier controversial decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after the BCB refused to tour India—a move triggered by tensions involving Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman and the IPL.

The ICC has issued a strong rebuke regarding Pakistan's stance, labeling it "selective participation" that threatens the integrity of the event.

Ind vs Pak: ICC to hold emergency meeting within 48 hours, PCB faces possible suspension: Reports

“ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity... selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” the global body stated.

Urging the PCB to reconsider, the ICC warned of “significant and long-term implications” for Pakistani cricket and called for a “mutually acceptable resolution” to protect the global cricket ecosystem.