The Government of Pakistan on Monday announced that the national cricket squad will play the Twenty20 World Cup match against India on Feb. 15, reversing an earlier decision to boycott the match over a rift between India and Bangladesh.
The decision follows a meeting between a delegation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad, also attended by Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam Bulbul.
Announcing the decision on X, the government said the PCB chairman formally briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the high-level deliberations. “The Government of Pakistan has reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the BCB, as well as the supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations. These correspondences sought Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges,” it said.
“The government further noted the statement by BCB President Aminul Islam. The profound gratitude expressed by our brotherly nation is received with great warmth. Pakistan reaffirms that it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Bangladesh,” it added.
According to the statement, the premier also received a phone call from Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. “During their warm and friendly conversation, they recalled that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had always stood shoulder-to-shoulder, especially during challenging times. The Sri Lankan president requested the prime minister to accord serious consideration to amicably resolve the current impasse,” it said. “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 Feb. 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” it continued.
“Moreover, 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,” it said. “The prime minister and the people of Pakistan extend their 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 added.
In a separate statement, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake noted that his country was co-hosting the tournament. “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,” he recalled.
The BCB president similarly urged Pakistan to play against India and thanked both the PCB and ICC for their “positive roles in trying to overcome recent challenges.”
According to the ICC statement confirming Pakistan’s decision to play against India, the cricketing body would not impose any penalty on the BCB for opting out of the T20 World Cup. It also agreed that Dhaka would host an ICC event prior to the 2031 tournament.
“While reflecting on the Bangladesh cricket team’s unfortunate absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the global governing body for cricket reaffirmed BCB’s position as a valued full member, with a proud cricketing history and a vital role in the growth of the global game,” it said, adding it would continue to facilitate the growth of cricket in Bangladesh.
“It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the dispute resolution committee should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact,” it said.