The organization said in a statement that it was awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but said: “This position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event, where all eligible teams are expected to compete on equal terms according to the event schedule.”

“Selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competition.”

“We respect the government’s role in national policy,” it said, adding: “This decision is not in the best interest of the global game or the welfare of fans around the world, including millions of fans in Pakistan.”

It added that the PCB “considers the significant and long-term impact on cricket in its home country” and “hopes that the PCB will seek a mutually acceptable solution”.

The ICC has not yet released match conditions for the tournament, so it is unclear what sanctions Pakistan could face for boycotting the matches.

However, the rules of the last tournament stated, “If a match is decided by one side admitting defeat or refusing to play, the result shall be stated as either the match is conceded or the match is not contested, depending on the circumstances.”

Pakistan had previously announced the squad for the 20-team tournament, which begins on February 7, but needed government approval to remain in the squad.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had requested that the match be changed from India to the other host nation, Sri Lanka.

However, this call was rejected by the ICC last month, saying there was “no credible security threat”.

BCB then withdrew and Scotland entered the tournament in their place.

Pakistan was placed in Group A along with India, Namibia, Netherlands and the United States.

They defeated Australia by 111 runs on Sunday and will go into the tournament having won the T20 series 3-0.