ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has decided not to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India and will participate in Colombo next Sunday.
The decision followed a week of discussions, which included International Cricket Council director Imran Khawaja and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board to restore the influential game in cricket.
High-level talks led to the Pakistan government announcing on X, “Following successful multilateral discussions and requests from allied nations, the Government of Pakistan directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to play on February 15, 2026, in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
“This decision aims to uphold the spirit of cricket and ensure the continuity of this global sport for all participating nations,” it added.
The ICC stated: “All members agreed to honor their commitments for ICC events and will ensure the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is a success.”
After Bangladesh was eliminated from the World Cup two weeks ago due to security concerns about playing in India being dismissed by the ICC, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi criticized the ICC’s approach and stated that Pakistan’s government advised a boycott of the India group match in solidarity with Bangladesh.
However, not having a match between Pakistan and India would impact current and future TV rights deals and ICC funding.
The Pakistan government noted that ICC members, including Sri Lanka and the UAE, urged the PCB to end the boycott. On Monday, Bangladesh’s Islam requested the match proceed “for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem.”
“We appreciate Pakistan’s support during this time,” Islam stated. “May our partnership continue to grow.”
The ICC also announced it would not penalize Bangladesh for missing the T20 World Cup for the first time, stating they could approach the dispute resolution committee if they wished.
Naqvi promised an announcement from Pakistan within 48 hours, yet it seemed the decisive moment came from a phone call between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Sri Lanka co-hosts all matches for Pakistan in this World Cup.
The Pakistan government shared that Dissanayake requested Sharif to consider a peaceful solution to the situation.
Sharif approved the India match and wished the “Men in Green” well, especially since they have started the World Cup with a win over the Netherlands.
Bangladesh will receive a global tournament before the men’s World Cup in 2031, according to the ICC.
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta remarked that while Bangladesh’s absence from the T20 World Cup is unfortunate, it does not affect the ICC’s commitment to Bangladesh as a key cricketing nation.
