ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday unveiled the official kit for the national men’s cricket team ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The kit, named the “Vanguard Markhor Edition”, features a light green base with darker green patterns inspired by Pakistan’s national animal, the Markhor.
Pakistan's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 kit unveiled 🇵🇰👕
Order the Vanguard Markhor Edition now!
🛒 https://t.co/TWU32Ta9wL#WearYourPassion | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/HMlotSJM81— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 1, 2026
The jersey was showcased on social media by the PCB, with players modelling the design during post-match proceedings of Pakistan’s third T20I against Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Revealing the Vanguard Markhor Edition 🎬
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Jersey Unveiled 💫#WearYourPassion | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/KsnRizFH0g
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 1, 2026
Pakistan boycott India clash
The unveiling followed conditional approval from the federal government for Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.
In a statement posted on the government’s official X account, the government said the national team “shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 1, 2026
The decision came after the International Cricket Council (ICC) removed Bangladesh from the tournament over security concerns regarding playing in India.
Government sources said that Pakistan’s boycott of the India match is intended as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh.
Political and cricketing context
Relations between Bangladesh and India have been tense, spilling over into cricket.
Bangladesh had sought a change of venue after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) by the Indian cricket board, prompting protests in Dhaka.
The ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, citing logistical challenges to rescheduling matches just before the tournament’s February 7 start.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday to finalise the team’s participation.
PCB sources emphasised that the team will follow government instructions regarding the boycott.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said after the third T20I against Australia that the team “will do whatever our cricket board instructs us to do” and that the decision not to play against India is government-mandated.
Neutral venue arrangements
All of Pakistan’s matches at the T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in Sri Lanka.
This arrangement reflects previous compromises, including the 2023 Asia Cup, where India played matches at neutral venues to manage political tensions with Pakistan.
Under an ICC-brokered agreement valid until 2027, Pakistan will play all ICC tournament matches at neutral venues.
The T20 World Cup, set to begin on February 7, has placed Pakistan and defending champions India in the same group, but they will not meet on the field in Colombo on February 15.
The Markhor-themed jersey has attracted attention for its symbolic design.
The light green base with darker patterns highlights the national animal and gives the kit a distinct identity ahead of the global tournament.
The PCB had initially planned a formal kit unveiling during the toss of the second T20I against Australia, but the ceremony was postponed due to uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation.
