The dark clouds over the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup game on February 15 have finally cleared. Late Monday, the Pakistan government instructed its team to take the field for the marquee game in Colombo following days of hectic negotiations between cricket officials from Pakistan and Bangladesh, and the International Cricket Council (ICC). India Pakistan Match News Live Updates The talks, held in consultation with ICC chief Jay Shah, resulted in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) urging the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take the field against India, resulting in the Pakistan government changing its stance. “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 Pakistan government said in a statement. Confirmed the end of the drama, the ICC said, “The dialogue between ICC and PCB took place as part of a broader engagement with both parties recognising the need for constructive dealings and being united, committed and purposeful in their aspirations to serve the best interests of the game with integrity, neutrality and cooperation.” BCB president Aminul Islam, in an earlier press statement, hinted at the backroom negotiations held over the weekend. “Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday (Sunday) and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem,” the former Bangladesh captain said. Pakistan chief Mohsin Naqvi. (FILE photo) PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, too, gave his take on the talks. “We have had discussions with them. We respect our guests and the ICC came to our house so we respected them,” he said. The Indian Express had reported on February 8 that the PCB had approached the ICC to initiate dialogue over their boycott.Story continues below this ad The genesis of the crisis was Bangladesh’s refusal to play its T20 World Cup matches in India after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the upcoming IPL season. ALSO READ | Bangladesh urge Pakistan to play against India in T20 World Cup ‘for benefit of cricket ecosystem’ After Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland, the Pakistan government decided to boycott the match against India citing “double standards” by the ICC. Commenting on their stance to support Bangladesh, Naqvi said, “Bangladesh’s stance was valid so we had to back them.” The new Bangladesh statement coincided with ICC’s changed stance on the mess. After Bangladesh refused to travel to India, the international body had hinted at forcing sanctions on them. But now, the ICC said there would be “no financial, sporting or administrative penalty on Bangladesh Cricket Board”. The world body also said that “an agreement has been reached that Bangladesh will host an ICC event prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2031”.Story continues below this ad ALSO READ | T20 World Cup: Pakistan agreeing to play India saves ICC $174 million Those in the know say that ICC chief Shah played hard ball and refused several demands made by PCB. “They were asking for more share of the revenue and revival of bilateral series with India as conditions but ICC refused to accede to those demands,” said officials involved in the discussions. Pakistan had shown signs of a U-turn on their boycott threat after their wish to enforce the Force Majeure clause was turned down by the ICC, contending that the argument of a situation beyond their control was weak. Moreover, the PCB was told that in case they stuck to their decision, they would face a stiff fine and harsh sanctions that would isolate them in the cricketing world. Naqvi had said earlier on Monday that they were not concerned about these threats. “You know we are not ones to be afraid of these threats at all. Everyone knows our Field Marshall (Asim Munir). We are not worried about any sanctions,” he said.
T20 World Cup: Pakistan takes U-turn, to play India on February 15 as ICC plays hardball
