The Pakistan government has reversed its earlier position and cleared the men’s cricket team to play India in their scheduled match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on February 15.
The clearance comes after Pakistan had initially asked its team not to take the field against India, citing solidarity with Bangladesh, which was dropped from the tournament and replaced by Scotland. Bangladesh had sought relocation of its matches from India to Sri Lanka, a request rejected by the ICC.
With the ICC maintaining a firm stand against any boycott threat, and following formal requests from the Bangladesh Cricket Board and supportive outreach from Sri Lanka and other member nations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved Pakistan’s participation in the high-profile fixture.
In an official statement, the government said it reviewed requests sent to the Pakistan Cricket Board by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, along with communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries, urging Pakistan to help resolve the situation through engagement rather than withdrawal.
The statement also referred to remarks by BCB President Aminul Islam, noting that Bangladesh’s expression of gratitude was received warmly, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh.
It further disclosed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday evening. Both leaders recalled the long-standing cooperation between their countries, especially during difficult periods. During the call, the Sri Lankan President requested serious consideration of an amicable resolution to the impasse.
Taking into account the outcomes of multilateral discussions and the appeals of friendly nations, the government formally directed the Pakistan national cricket team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The standoff between the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board dates back to February 1, when the Prime Minister allowed Pakistan to participate in the World Cup but restricted the team from playing India in Colombo.
Pakistan’s threat to boycott the India match followed a separate dispute between the ICC and Bangladesh last month over venue-related security concerns, which ultimately led to Bangladesh’s replacement by Scotland.
Pakistan are currently touring Sri Lanka and are set to play their second Group A match against the United States on Tuesday.
— IANS
