After being persuaded by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s government decided to retract its boycott demand on Monday, breaking a deadlock that had clouded the ongoing competition. As a result, the India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup will proceed as scheduled.
On February 15, the highly anticipated T20 World Cup match will take place in Colombo.
“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,” PTI quoted the Pakistan government stating in a press release.
After Bangladesh Cricket Board head Aminul Islam made a statement in Dhaka imploring Pakistan to play for the benefit of the game, it became certain that the Pakistan Cricket Board would end the boycott.
“…this decision has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket, and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations,” the statement from Pakistan government added.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the president of Sri Lanka, also called Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and pleaded with him to permit the squad to play the match.
“The Sri Lankan President requested the Prime Minister to accord serious consideration to amicably resolve the current impasse.”.
Following PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi’s briefing of Sharif on Sunday of his discussion with the ICC, which also included Islam, the Pakistani government released their statement. Naqvi had previously said that a final decision would be made in another day.
“Bangladesh’s stance was valid so we had to back them,” he asserted.
Bangladesh’s refusal to compete in India due to security concerns resulted in their elimination from the competition. In a statement released in Dhaka, Islam thanked Pakistan for supporting his nation but asked that the team attend the high-profile match for the benefit of the sport as a whole.
“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,” he added.
The ICC quickly declared in a statement in Dubai that it would not punish Bangladesh for declining to play in India. In the end, Scotland took the nation’s position on the tournament roster.
“It is agreed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter. It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact,” stated a press release from the world body.
Additionally, the ICC decided to grant Bangladesh the opportunity to host a major event from 2028 to 2031.
“You know we are not ones to be afraid of these threats at all. Everyone knows our Field Marshall (Asim Munir). We are not worried about any sanctions,” Naqvi said while dismissing rumors that the ICC’s threat of punitive action was exerting pressure on the PCB.
It is said that Naqvi made a number of demands at his Sunday meeting with ICC deputy chair Imran Khawaja, including the reinstatement of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan and a tri-series with Bangladesh. This was intended to make up for the losses the BCB had sustained after its unexpected expulsion from the international tournament.
Although the ICC has no jurisdiction over Indo-Pak bilateral cricket, the request for a tri-series was flatly denied. It has been over ten years since India participated in a tri-nation event. But the ICC may think about giving Bangladesh the next men’s Under-19 World Cup.
According to a PCB source, Naqvi brought up several issues with Khawaja during their discussions.
“He questioned Khwaja if the ICC had kept quiet if the Pakistan team had refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy at the presentation from any Indian board official,” the source said.
Naqvi, the current head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), made it clear that only he would do the presentation formalities in front of the media, hence the Asia Cup trophy lies locked at the ACC headquarters in Dubai.
