After a 10-day standoff, Pakistan has withdrawn its boycott of the match against India at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, clearing the way for the high-profile fixture to be played in Colombo on February 15 as scheduled.

The impasse began after the Board of Control for Cricket in India removed Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League for undisclosed reasons. In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced it would not travel to India for the tournament, citing security concerns, and asked the International Cricket Council to shift all of its matches to Sri Lanka. The request was rejected, and Bangladesh was subsequently replaced by Scotland in the competition.

In solidarity with Bangladesh, the Pakistan Cricket Board paused Pakistan’s tournament preparations. A week later, a directive from the Pakistani government stated that while Pakistan would take part in the World Cup, it would “not take the field” against India. Following a series of emergency discussions involving the ICC, the BCB, and the PCB, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif withdrew the boycott, restoring the original plan for the fixture.

“This decision 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,” said a statement released by the Government of Pakistan on X.

“The Prime Minister and the people of Pakistan extend their best wishes to the “Men in Green.” 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 reversal followed the ICC’s acceptance of certain demands from the PCB and BCB. Under the agreed concessions, Bangladesh will not face penalties for its late withdrawal and has been promised hosting rights for a major ICC event ahead of the 2031 ODI World Cup, which it is scheduled to co-host with India.

“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish.” said BCB president Mohammed Aminul in a media release on X.

India–Pakistan encounters are among the marquee attractions of ICC tournaments, and tickets for the Colombo match sold out soon after the fixture was announced. According to The Indian Express, the proposed boycott could have resulted in losses of around $174 million in broadcast and sponsorship revenues, in addition to ticket sales, affecting all stakeholders, including the hosts, Sri Lanka.

“Thank you Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, for ensuring the game we all love goes on. Delighted that the eagerly awaited India and Pakistan match at the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup in Colombo will proceed as planned,” Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in a statement on X.

“As co-host of the tournament, Sri Lanka thanks the ICC and all concerned for their efforts. Sri Lanka hasn’t forgotten the solidarity shown by both India and Pakistan during the 1996 World Cup, when they played in Colombo at a time when others refrained due to security concerns.”

With the boycott lifted, the February 15 match assumes added significance in the race for Super 8 qualification. Pakistan has won its first two matches against the Netherlands and the United States, while co-host India opened its campaign with a victory over the United States. Although India holds a 7–1 record against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, the contest remains one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures.

Related posts:

Building Bridges Across Continents Through Storytelling and Strategy  An Opportunity to Break Past the ‘Associate’ Barrier: A Preview of the USA Ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India beats South Africa to win the T20 World Cup in Barbados USA Push India Hard Despite Falling Short in T20 World Cup Opener