India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Fixture Back On Following Pakistan’s Government U-Turn
The highly anticipated India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup is set to proceed as planned after Pakistan’s government reversed its decision to boycott the game. This move came after Bangladesh and Sri Lanka intervened, resolving the impasse that had overshadowed the tournament.
Scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15, the match will now go ahead following successful multilateral discussions and appeals from friendly nations.
In a press release, the Pakistan government directed the Pakistan National Cricket Team to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup fixture on February 15, 2026, stating that the decision was made to uphold the spirit of cricket and support the global continuity of the sport.
The breakthrough came after Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam urged Pakistan to participate in the match for the greater good of cricket, leading to the government’s decision to retract the boycott.
Furthermore, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a call from Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, emphasizing the importance of Pakistan’s participation in the game.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi briefed Sharif on the dialogue with the ICC, which played a crucial role in resolving the situation.
Following these developments, the ICC announced that Bangladesh would not face any penalties for their refusal to play in India. Scotland replaced Bangladesh in the tournament roster.
In addition, the ICC granted Bangladesh hosting rights for a global event between 2028 and 2031 as a gesture of goodwill.
Despite initial concerns about potential sanctions from the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board remained steadfast in its decision to support Bangladesh and ensure the continuation of cricket.
During discussions with the ICC, the PCB raised various demands, including the resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan and a tri-series involving Bangladesh to offset the losses incurred by the BCB.
While some demands were rejected, such as the tri-series proposal, the ICC expressed willingness to consider awarding the next men’s Under-19 World Cup to Bangladesh.
The constructive dialogue between the stakeholders culminated in a resolution that allowed the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup fixture to proceed as scheduled, marking a significant moment in the cricketing world.
