Pakistan Govt Clears India Match As T20 World Cup Fixture Set To Go Ahead

The Government of Pakistan has officially directed the national cricket team to play its scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India on February 15 in Colombo, bringing clarity to one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures after days of uncertainty. The decision was taken after Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the outcomes of high-level discussions involving the Pakistan Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council and the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Pakistan had earlier announced it would not take the field against arch-rivals India as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh, who were removed from the tournament after refusing to travel to India citing security concerns. The government’s decision followed multilateral talks and diplomatic outreach by several friendly nations, including Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates, urging an amicable resolution in the interest of the game.

An official statement said the prime minister also held a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during which the Sri Lankan leader recalled the long-standing bond between the two countries. “This evening, the Prime Minister held a telephone call with H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The President of Sri Lanka, during their warm and friendly conversation, recalled that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had always stood shoulder to shoulder, especially during challenging times,” the statement said. It added that the Sri Lankan president requested serious consideration to resolve the impasse amicably.

“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the statement said. It further noted that the government had reviewed formal requests from the Bangladesh Cricket Board along with supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the UAE and other member nations seeking Pakistan’s leadership in finding a viable solution.

The statement added that the decision was taken to protect the spirit of cricket and ensure continuity of the global sport, while extending best wishes to the “Men in Green.” “We remain confident that our team will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride onto the field as they compete for global glory,” it said.

The development came a day after the ICC held a meeting in Lahore with the PCB and the BCB to discuss Pakistan’s earlier decision to boycott the India match. Following those talks, BCB President Aminul Islam urged Pakistan to play the February 15 fixture and expressed gratitude to the PCB leadership. “The BCB wishes to express its profound and heartfelt gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi, his Board and the cricket fans of Pakistan. Throughout this period, the PCB has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity,” read a statement issued by the BCB. Aminul Islam added, “Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket eco system.”

Sri Lanka’s president later welcomed the decision, saying, “Delighted that the eagerly awaited India and Pakistan match at the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup in Colombo will proceed as planned.” He added, “Sri Lanka hasn’t forgotten the solidarity shown by both India and Pakistan during the 1996 World Cup, when they played in Colombo at a time when others refrained due to security concerns.”

In a parallel development, the International Cricket Council confirmed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty would be imposed on the Bangladesh Cricket Board despite Bangladesh’s absence from the tournament. “This dialogue covered several matters, including but not limited to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia,” the ICC said in a statement, reaffirming BCB’s position as a valued full member with a vital role in the global game.

The ICC also confirmed that Bangladesh retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee under existing regulations and announced that an agreement has been reached for Bangladesh to host an ICC event prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2031, subject to standard hosting processes. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said, “Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter the ICC’s enduring commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation.”

The controversy traces back to rising tensions between the cricket boards of Bangladesh and India after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League at the direction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, sparking outrage in Dhaka. The BCB subsequently requested the ICC to shift its matches outside India, a plea rejected due to scheduling constraints, leading to Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland in the tournament. Pakistan responded by boycotting its India match before reversing its stance following diplomatic engagement and ICC-led dialogue.

Any India–Pakistan clash remains one of the most commercially significant fixtures in world cricket, with industry estimates valuing a single T20 match at around $500 million when broadcast rights, sponsorships, advertising, ticket sales and related commercial activity are taken into account. With Pakistan now confirming its participation, the marquee February 15 encounter is set to go ahead as scheduled, restoring both sporting balance and commercial momentum to the tournament.