Pakistan will take the field against India on February 15 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally approved the match following consultations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In a statement shared on The decision, according to the statement, was guided by the need to "protect the spirit of cricket" and maintain continuity in global sport. He noted that Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and other member countries had requested Pakistan to resolve the impasse. The BCB expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support, while Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urged the Prime Minister to consider the match, recalling Pakistan’s past solidarity with Sri Lankan cricket during difficult times. Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed such sentiments, highlighted the long-standing ties of brotherhood between the two nations and recalled Sri Lanka’s recent tour of Pakistan as "Memorable gesture for the nation and the fans."
The decision came as the ICC confirmed that no penalties or sanctions would be imposed on Bangladesh in connection with its non-participation in the T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. In a joint statement with the PCB and BCB, the governing body noted that Bangladesh remains a valued full member with a rich cricket history and a vital role in the development of global cricket. ICC Executive Director Sanjog Gupta highlighted that the absence of Bangladesh "it does not alter the ICC’s long-standing commitment to the nation as cricket’s core ecosystem." and highlighted that Bangladesh will host an ICC event before the 2031 Men’s Cricket World Cup, reflecting confidence in its hosting capabilities. The statement further highlighted that continued dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement among all stakeholders aims "protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity," while ensuring the sport continues to flourish in South Asia and beyond. Pakistan’s T20 campaign began on a victorious note against the Netherlands on February 7, and the Men in Green are now preparing for their second match against the USA on February 11, ahead of the main tournament clash against India on February 15. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar praised the prime minister’s decision as "excellent" and praised PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s diplomacy, while media reports confirmed that India had accepted Pakistan’s preconditions for the meeting. Naqvi, earlier speaking informally to journalists, reiterated that Pakistan had consistently supported Bangladesh, emphasizing that the decision to hold the mega event reflects solidarity rather than self-interest. Fans across the country are eagerly awaiting the clash, confident that the Pakistan team will display sportsmanship, national pride and resilience on the field as they compete for global glory in one of the most watched cricket tournaments. The T20 World Cup 2026 began on Saturday, with 20 teams divided into four groups. Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside the Netherlands, India, the United States and Namibia, and will play all its matches in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh were originally included in the tournament but requested the ICC to move their matches from India to Sri Lanka after their star player, Mustafizur Rehman, was released from the Indian Premier League by the organizers following objections from ruling party activists. The ICC rejected the request and replaced them with Scotland when Bangladesh refused to play in India for security reasons. Pakistan supported Bangladesh and protested the ICC decision. Subsequently, Pakistan had initially decided that the team would not play India in the tournament, leading to uncertainty surrounding the match. The government’s announcement sparked intense discussions with the ICC, which continued its engagements with PCB leaders to resolve the impasse. The ICC tasked its vice president, Imran Khawaja, with persuading Pakistan to reconsider its decision. On Sunday, Khawaja and BCB president Aminul Islam visited Lahore and held marathon talks with Naqvi at the PCB headquarters at Gaddafi Stadium. HBL Pakistan Super League CEO Salman Naseer and PCB Advisor Amir Mir were also present. During the meeting, Khawaja reportedly urged the PCB to reconsider its decision, stressing that Pakistan should participate in the match for the sake of the sport. The BCB president thanked Pakistan for supporting Bangladesh’s stance. After deliberations, Khawaja was to report to the ICC on the proceedings and in the light of his report, the ICC would inform the PCB of its response. The PCB confirmed that Naqvi would inform the prime minister, who would take the final decision on playing the match against India. The joint statement said all stakeholders recognize that the spirit of this understanding is to protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity. "Our focus remains on working closely with key stakeholders," said ICC Executive Director Gupta.
