News Desk: In a dramatic policy reversal, Pakistan on Monday confirmed that its national cricket team will play the much-anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against India, backing away from its earlier decision to boycott the encounter.
The high-profile fixture is scheduled for February 15, 2026.
The shift came after an ICC delegation visited Pakistan and held talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi over the team’s participation. Diplomatic and cricketing outreach from several countries — including Sri Lanka — also played a role in breaking the deadlock.
In an official statement, the Pakistani government said it reviewed formal requests routed through the PCB from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), along with supportive communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and other member nations, urging Islamabad to help find a workable solution to the impasse.
The statement added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a call from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who invoked the long-standing ties between the two nations and encouraged a constructive resolution.
“Considering the outcomes of multilateral consultations and the requests of friendly countries, the government has directed the national team to take the field on February 15 for its scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup fixture,” the statement said, describing the move as an effort to uphold the spirit of cricket and ensure continuity of the global game.
Pakistan also expressed confidence that the “Men in Green” would represent the country with sportsmanship and national pride.
Sri Lankan President Dissanayake welcomed the decision in a post on X, thanking Sharif for ensuring the contest goes ahead and noting Colombo’s role as co-host. He also recalled how India and Pakistan had shown similar sporting resolve during the 1996 World Cup by playing in Colombo despite security concerns.
Why Pakistan Had Boycotted
Pakistan had initially opted out of the match in solidarity with Bangladesh, which declined to travel to India for its T20 World Cup fixtures citing security concerns. After talks mediated by the ICC and PCB, BCB chief Aminul Islam urged Islamabad to reconsider, arguing that participation would benefit the broader cricket ecosystem.
ICC’s Position on Bangladesh
The ICC, meanwhile, adopted a conciliatory approach toward Bangladesh’s refusal to travel, stating that no financial, sporting or administrative sanctions would be imposed. It reiterated that Dhaka could approach the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee if needed.
In a separate announcement, the ICC said Bangladesh would host an ICC event ahead of the 2031 Men’s Cricket World Cup, signalling continued confidence in its organisational capacity and reaffirming the governing body’s commitment to inclusivity among member nations.
