CHENNAI: The Pakistan government have directed their team to play the upcoming T20 World Cup game against India in Colombo on February 15. "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 government tweeted from their official handle on Monday.
Pakistan had earlier opted to boycott the game to stand in solidarity with Bangloadesh after the latter's request to play their games outside India was rejected. But after hectic parleys and back-channel lobbying, including with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), ICC and the governments of Sri Lanka, UAE and other member nations, PM Shehbaz Sharif asked the team to play.
Earlier in the day, the BCB also requested Pakistan to play the game keeping in mind the wider cricketing ecosystem.
After a week of hectic parleys and informal back-channel communications between all boards and stakeholders, the big game between India and Pakistan will be played as per schedule on Sunday.
The change in stance came after the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a statement saying that the Bangladesh Cricket Board that they would not face financial penalties or sanctions after they withdrew from the tournament once their request to play their World Cup games away from India wasn't accommodated by the ICC.
"It is agreed," an official ICC press release said, "that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter. It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact. The ICC’s approach is guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflects the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment."
Per the new arrangement, BCB will also have the right to host an ICC event before the 2031 World Cup. This could the next edition of the men's Under-19 World Cup in 2028.
PCB were also asked to play the game by the Sri Lankan government as well as the BCB. 'Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday (Sunday)," board president, Md Aminul Islam said in a release via the BCB on Monday, "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 ICC’s approach is guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflects the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment."
There were reports that even the Sri Lanka government had spoken with Pakistan. As reported by this newspaper, the SLC had written to the PCB to reconsider their stand after their tourism was hit due to the uncertainty over the match.
Both India and Pakistan have won their Group A matches on February 7.