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• Govt reconsiders decision to boycott Feb 15 fixture after consultations among national leaders and cricket boards
• Dhaka to host ICC event before 2031 men’s World Cup; will face no financial or sporting penalty for refusing to play in India
• Decision comes after PCB-BCB-ICC huddle, intercessions by Bangladesh, UAE, Sri Lanka and other ICC members
LAHORE: Pakistan have withdrawn their decision to boycott their upcoming group stage match with arch-rivals India, and will be taking the field for the T20 World Cup fixture this coming Sunday.
The decision, announced by the government late on Monday night, followed protracted negotiations between the global cricketing body, the cricket boards of Pakistan and Bangladesh, consultations among national leaders and intercessions by friendly nations such as Sri Lanka and UAE.
In its announcement, the government conveyed its best wishes to the ‘Men in Green’, saying: “We remain confident that our team will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride onto the field as they compete for global glory”.
The decision followed an International Cricket Council (ICC) announcement, which offered to compensate the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and clarified that the nation will not face any financial, sporting or administrative penalty over their refusal to play matches in India.
The rapprochement ostensibly occurred during a marathon meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, ICC Deputy Chief Imran Khawaja and BCB President Aminul Islam.
The three men met on Sunday night, with their huddle running into the early hours of Monday morning. Although there was no official readout or press talk after the meeting, insiders said that a final announcement would be made after all sides consulted with their respective higher-ups.
Pakistan had taken the decision to boycott its India fixture in solidarity with Dhaka after the ICC excluded Bangladesh from the World Cup, rejecting its demand to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns.
These were fueled by threats levelled at Mustafizur Rehman, who was also dropped from the IPL despite being picked by the Shahrukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders.
Govt gives go-ahead
According to the official statement, shared on the government’s official X handle, said that it had reviewed formal requests by the BCB and “supporting communications” from Sri Lanka, UAE and other member nations, seeking “Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges”.
It also recounted a call between PM Shehbaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, where the latter requested the Pakistani leader to let their cricket team play against India on Feb 15.
Pakistan fully supported Sri Lankan cricket when terrorism plagued the country, a statement issued by the PM Office recalled.
“Recently the Sri Lankan team took an unforgettable step for the Pakistani nation and cricket fans by not cancelling the tour of Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz said.
The two leaders “recalled that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had always stood shoulder to shoulder, especially during challenging times”.
“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,” it said.
The government said the decision to reconsider its boycott of the India tie “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”.
Shortly before the announcement was made, the BCB had also issued a statement asked Pakistan to play the Feb 15 match against India “for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem”.
The statement extended “sincere appreciation” to the PCB and ICC for their efforts, and reserved special words of gratitude for PCB chief Naqvi.
BCB President Md Aminul Islam said: “We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish.
What B’desh will get
“The ICC, PCB and BCB have concluded an open, constructive and congenial dialogue. This dialogue covered several matters, including but not limited to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia,” the ICC statement said.
It also stated “that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on Bangladesh Cricket Board”, and acknowledged that “BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), should it choose to do so”.
To compensate Dhaka, as part of the understanding, it was agreed that “Bangladesh will host an ICC event prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2031”, the ICC said.
“Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter the ICC’s enduring commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation… Bangladesh remains a priority cricket ecosystem deserving of long-term investment in its development, competitiveness and global integration, and is not defined by short-term disruptions,” the statement quoted ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta as saying.
Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2026
