India will proceed with their T20 World Cup match against Pakistan in Colombo on 15 February, despite Pakistan's decision to boycott the fixture. India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed his team's travel plans on Thursday, stating that the onus is on Pakistan, not India, to explain their absence.
Pakistan's government directed the team to boycott the Group A contest as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland after refusing to tour India over safety concerns. Pakistan captain Salman Agha acknowledged the decision was out of his hands, saying his side would respect the government's directive.
India, the top-ranked T20 side and defending champions, aim to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups and the first hosts to lift the trophy. The match carries significant weight for Pakistan, as only the top two teams from each group advance to the Super-8 stage, with Group A also featuring Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA.
The USA famously defeated Pakistan in the 2024 edition, but Salman Agha dismissed that result as history, focusing instead on preparing for a competitive group. When asked about a potential knockout meeting between the arch-rivals, Salman stated that the team would follow government advice on any such scenario.
