Islamabad, February 9, 2026 – The federal government of Pakistan on Monday directed the Pakistan national cricket team to play its scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against India on February 15 in Colombo.
The decision came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the outcomes of high-level discussions held between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
“The government of Pakistan has reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the BCB, as well as supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations,” read an official statement issued by the government.
Pakistan had initially decided not to play India in solidarity with Bangladesh, whose team was excluded from the tournament after refusing to travel to India over security concerns. The decision to now play in Colombo aims to protect the spirit of cricket and ensure continuity in the global tournament.
Support and Encouragement for Men in Green
The statement emphasized the Prime Minister’s and nation’s support for the Pakistan cricket team, adding:
“We remain confident that our team will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride onto the field as they compete for global glory.”
No Penalty for Bangladesh Cricket Board
The ICC confirmed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would face no financial, sporting, or administrative penalties due to the team’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
“This dialogue covered several matters, including the T20 World Cup and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia,” the ICC said in a statement. It reaffirmed Bangladesh’s status as a valued Full Member with a proud cricketing history and a vital role in developing global cricket.
The ICC also confirmed that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) under current ICC regulations.
As part of the resolution, Bangladesh will host an ICC event prior to the 2031 Cricket World Cup, subject to standard ICC hosting processes and requirements. The decision reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s ability to host major international cricket events and highlights the ICC’s commitment to developing cricket across its member nations.
BCB Expresses Gratitude to PCB
BCB President Aminul Islam requested Pakistan to honor the scheduled game against India and expressed gratitude to the PCB for its support and solidarity.
“The BCB wishes to express its profound and heartfelt gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi, his Board, and the cricket fans of Pakistan. Throughout this period, the PCB has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship,” the statement read.
Following his visit to Pakistan, Aminul Islam reiterated his request, saying:
“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.”
High-Level Discussions Ensure Resolution
A five-hour meeting between the PCB, ICC, and BCB, attended by Naqvi, Aminul Islam, and ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, resulted in a formula to address BCB grievances. The ICC responded positively, while the PCB acted as the main coordinator.
Once approved, the ICC and BCB will finalize next steps, ensuring the smooth conduct of the tournament while safeguarding relationships among cricketing nations.
ICC-BCB Saga: Background
Tensions arose when Bangladesh’s star pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the direction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), prompting Bangladesh to request the ICC to move matches outside India. The ICC denied the request, ultimately replacing Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament.
The PCB had initially boycotted its India match in protest of what it considered biased treatment of Bangladesh.
Financial Significance of India-Pakistan Clash
Matches between arch-rivals India and Pakistan are among the most lucrative in cricket, with an estimated value of $500 million (INR 45,000 crore) through broadcast rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and advertising.
Advertising slots during the India-Pakistan T20 match reportedly command INR 25–40 lakh for a 10-second spot, significantly higher than knockout matches involving India against other top teams. The immediate financial impact will largely be felt by official broadcast rights holders, with advertising revenue alone estimated at INR 300 crore.