T20 World Cup 2026: What happens to Pakistan's net run rate if they boycott the India game? EXPLAINED

On Sunday (February 1), the Pakistan government announced that their national men's cricket team wouldn't be playing the India fixture of T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held on February 15. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to communicate this to the International Cricket Council, there is little scope for PCB to make a U-turn, especially against their own government.

It also obvious that the PCB is also on the same page as the Pakistan government on this issue, hence a stance reversal will have to come from both parties mutually, if at all. Depending on what PCB writes in its official boycott letter to the ICC, corresponding consequences await them and the Pakistan team.

As things stand, the India-Pakistan game will be awarded as a walkover to the Indian team, provided the defending champions mark their presence at the ground in Colombo on matchday, which is February 15. By virtue of a forfeit, India would be awarded the two points if Pakistan don't take the field for the game.

This scenario is if the ICC considers Pakistan's move as a forfeit, which is likely to be the outcome at this stage. The other huge blow for Pakistan apart from losing out on two points would be regarding the net run rate. According to the ICC's playing regulations, the team that forfeits a game will also have a net run rate penalty to suffer.

Net run rate is basically the run rate scored subtracted with the run rate conceded at, in a tournament. If Pakistan go through with the forfeit, they will be considered to have scored 0 runs from 20 overs. This will be a blow to their net run rate, if they end up suffering a loss in any of the three games. For the record, Pakistan's other matches are against USA, Netherlands and Namibia.