KEY POINTS
- Pakistan’s government directed its cricket team to play the T20 World Cup match against India following high-level diplomatic and cricketing talks.
- Requests from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and other cricket boards, alongside a call between the Pakistani PM and Sri Lankan President, influenced the decision.
- The move aims to protect the spirit of cricket and ensure the marquee fixture proceeds as scheduled on February 15 in Colombo.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally instructed its national men’s cricket team to proceed with their high-profile T20 World Cup 2026 match against arch-rivals India, scheduled for February 15 at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium.
The directive ends weeks of uncertainty surrounding the marquee fixture.
The decision, announced late Monday, follows extensive diplomatic and cricketing consultations aimed at resolving a standoff that threatened one of international sport’s most-watched events.
Diplomatic Outreach and Brotherly Requests Pave the Way
According to an official government statement, the move was made after evaluating multiple factors. These included the results of recent high-level talks between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
The government cited formal requests from several cricket boards, including those of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as instrumental in the decision-making process. A pivotal moment came during a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
“During their warm and friendly conversation, they recalled that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had always stood shoulder to shoulder, especially during challenging times,” the statement read. “The Sri Lankan President requested the Prime Minister to accord serious consideration to amicably resolve the current impasse.”
PCB Briefing and Regional Solidarity Cited
The Prime Minister was formally briefed by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the outcomes of the multilateral deliberations. The government also acknowledged a statement from BCB President Amin ul Islam, expressing “profound gratitude” for Pakistan’s role in seeking a solution.
“Pakistan reaffirms that it stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh,” the statement noted, highlighting regional solidarity as a key theme in the decision.
Decision ‘To Protect the Spirit of Cricket’
The government explicitly framed its directive as a move to safeguard the interests of the global game. “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,” the announcement stated.
It concluded with a message of support for the national team: “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.”
Match to Proceed as Scheduled
With the political and administrative hurdles now cleared, the blockbuster Group A encounter between Pakistan and India is confirmed to go ahead on February 15 in Colombo. Cricket fans worldwide can now anticipate the renewal of one of sport’s greatest rivalries on the World Cup stage.
