'We will play...': Pakistan spinner makes compelling statement about India fixture in T20 WC amid speculations of potential boycott U-turn

As speculation over Pakistan’s potential U-turn on boycotting the India match at the T20 World Cup 2026 heats up, Salman Mirza, a member of Pakistan’s team, said that the side is preparing for the entire tournament and is focused on one opponent at a time.

The pacer addressed the possibility of playing India, stating that the team will abide by whatever final decision the government takes on the matter.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s game against the USA on Tuesday, Mirza was asked whether the players had discussed a potential match against India within the team.

“We are preparing for the entire T20 World Cup. We will play accordingly to the team we have to play. It will be the decision of the government. We will do whatever is told to us," Mirza said.

However, the focus for the time being is on the USA, the team that famously defeated Pakistan in the last edition.

“We are focused on the coming match and we are focusing on the match one-to-one, whichever is coming up. And about the match on the 15th (vs India), that is the decision of the government, whatever they decide, we will play accordingly," Mirza said.

In the T20 World Cup two years ago, USA, then co-hosts, had notched a famous upset victory over Pakistan.

“This happens often in cricket. It is a past and we can only learn from it. Our focus is on the next match. The group is preparing well and we will be focused on that," Mirza said.

Pakistan are scheduled to play the USA next, and following that, they are expected to play India on Sunday, February 15. As the Pakistan Government has declared a boycott against playing India in the tournament, it is not yet certain whether the match will materialise or not. However, massive developments have been recorded in the last 48 hours, which saw PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi meeting ICC officials in Lahore to possibly end the standoff.

As per reports, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is all set to approach Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to seek approval for lifting the boycott of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup game against India, after a request from his Bangladesh counterpart, as per reports.

Thus, an announcement from PCB's end is expected to drop soon. Given all the factors, especially the financial loss stakeholders will bear if the match does not happen, PCB will likely get on board with the match.