ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will play its scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 after intensive diplomatic engagement involving cricket boards and regional leaders, the government said on Monday.
The decision came as the International Cricket Council confirmed that no sanctions would be imposed on the Bangladesh Cricket Board for withdrawing from the tournament.
The decision followed high-level consultations between the International Cricket Council, the Pakistan Cricket Board, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, which the ICC described as “open, constructive and congenial”.
The decision also came hours after Sri Lanka formally urged Pakistan to take part in the high-profile fixture.
In a statement posted on X, the government said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been briefed by Naqvi on the outcome of high-level discussions between the PCB, the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
ISLAMABAD, February 9, 2026.
The Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shehbaz Sharif has been formally briefed by the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, regarding the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, representatives of…
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 9, 2026
“The government of Pakistan has reviewed formal requests extended to the PCB by the BCB, along with supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and other member nations,” the statement said, adding that Pakistan had been asked to show leadership in resolving the impasse.
It noted that the prime minister had also spoken by phone with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who requested Pakistan to help amicably resolve the situation.
“In view of the outcomes achieved through multilateral consultations and the requests of friendly countries, the government of Pakistan hereby directs the national cricket team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup fixture,” the statement said.
The decision was taken “to protect the spirit of cricket and support the continuity of this global sport”, it added.
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 statement said.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar welcomed the move, saying on X: “Game on hai! The whole nation stands behind the Men in Green.”
Game on hai!!!
The whole nation stands behind the men in green. Great decision by the Prime Minister @CMShehbaz and great diplomacy by Chairman PCB @MohsinnaqviC42
🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰 https://t.co/Q4dls6PL4X— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) February 9, 2026
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake later thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz for ensuring the match goes ahead, saying Sri Lanka had not forgotten the solidarity shown by Pakistan during the 1996 World Cup, when teams played in Colombo despite security concerns.
Thank you Prime Minister @CMShehbaz 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.
As co-host of the tournament, Sri Lanka thanks the @ICC and all…
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) February 9, 2026
Earlier, Dissanayake had told the prime minister that Pakistan had continued to tour Sri Lanka during periods of terrorism, prioritising bilateral ties and the game. Shehbaz reciprocated by recalling Sri Lanka’s support for Pakistan during difficult times and its decision not to cancel a recent tour.
Bangladesh also pressed Pakistan to play the match. BCB President Aminul Islam thanked the PCB and Pakistani cricket fans for their support and urged Islamabad to participate “for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem”.
No penalty for Bangladesh
Separately, the ICC said it would impose no penalty on Bangladesh for opting out of the tournament and agreed in principle that the country would host an ICC event before the 2031 World Cup.
Pakistan will play all their scheduled #T20WorldCup 2026 matches after “successful talks” between the ICC and PCB.
Details ⬇️https://t.co/NfIIqztYww
— ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2026
“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,” ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said.
The ICC said the dialogue with PCB and BCB reflected a forward-looking alignment reached in good faith and did not alter the governing body’s constitutional autonomy or decision-making framework.
It added that Bangladesh retained the right to approach the ICC’s dispute resolution committee under existing regulations.
As part of the understanding, the ICC agreed in principle that Bangladesh would host an ICC event prior to the Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2031, subject to standard hosting processes and requirements.
Earlier this month, Pakistan had agreed to participate in the T20 World Cup but said it would not play India, a stance taken after Bangladesh withdrew over security concerns linked to strained relations with New Delhi. Scotland were subsequently drafted into the tournament.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade and meet only in global or regional competitions.
“No financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on the BCB,” the ICC said, adding that the decision reflected neutrality and fairness.
Earlier this month, Pakistan had agreed to participate in the T20 World Cup but ruled out playing India. The stance followed Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament over security concerns linked to strained relations with India, after which Scotland replaced them.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade and meet only at global or regional tournaments.
