Pakistan Takes U-Turn, Agrees to Play India in T20 World Cup

A ten-day standoff over Pakistan’s refusal to face India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has ended, with the high-profile Group fixture now set to be played on February 15 in Colombo following coordinated announcements from the Pakistan government and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The match, widely viewed as the tournament’s commercial showpiece, was in doubt after Pakistan signalled it would participate in the World Cup but avoid playing India. The deadlock was broken after a series of diplomatic and administrative interventions, including appeals from several ICC member nations concerned about the wider financial and sporting impact of a boycott.

In a formal statement, the Pakistan government confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had held discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, while multiple cricket boards—including Sri Lanka and the UAE—urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to honour the fixture. The government said the decision to play was taken to uphold the spirit of cricket and ensure the smooth continuation of the global tournament.

The ICC also confirmed that constructive talks with the PCB had led to a resolution, reiterating that all participating teams are expected to fulfil their commitments under the terms of ICC events. The governing body emphasised unity, cooperation and the shared responsibility of members to ensure the tournament’s success.

A significant element of the negotiations centred on Bangladesh’s absence from the T20 World Cup. Pakistan had raised concerns over what it termed inconsistent treatment after Bangladesh was excluded without penalty, calling it a matter of fairness within the global cricket structure. Following discussions between the ICC, PCB and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), it was agreed that Bangladesh would not face financial, sporting or administrative sanctions.

As part of a broader understanding, Bangladesh has also been assured the opportunity to host an ICC event between 2028 and 2031, subject to standard hosting processes. The ICC reaffirmed Bangladesh’s importance as a major cricketing nation and stressed its long-term commitment to the development of the sport in the country despite its absence from the 2026 tournament.

Back-channel negotiations intensified in recent days, including a key meeting in Lahore involving PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, BCB chairman Aminul Islam and ICC director Imran Khawaja. Pakistan had earlier linked its stance on the India match to the treatment of Bangladesh and sought clarity on governance and equity issues within ICC structures.

With the impasse resolved, the ICC confirmed that Pakistan will participate in all scheduled matches, including the clash against India. The team is currently in action in the tournament and is set to face the USA in Colombo on February 10, having already opened its campaign with a narrow win over the Netherlands.

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