Pakistan have confirmed that they will take the field against arch-rivals India in their much-anticipated T20 World Cup match scheduled for Sunday, February 15, in Colombo. The decision, announced by the Pakistani government late Monday night, brings an end to days of uncertainty that had placed the showdown under a cloud. The reversal follows an earlier boycott stance adopted by Pakistan in response to a controversial sequence of decisions taken by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Those developments were triggered after the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament.
"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," the Pakistan government said in a press release.
The ICC confirmed that no sporting, financial, or administrative sanctions would be imposed on the Bangladesh Cricket Board for refusing to play matches in India. As part of the broader resolution, the ICC also announced that Bangladesh will be awarded the hosting rights for a major ICC event ahead of the 50-over World Cup in 2031. That World Cup is scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Bangladesh, and the announcement was viewed as a goodwill gesture aimed at restoring confidence and cooperation.
"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 ecosystem," the BCB president Aminul Islam said.