Key points
- Sri Lanka welcomes decision as sportsmanship gesture
- Afridi, Vaughan praise move for cricket
- Financial and tournament stakes influenced outcome
ISLAMABAD: Cricket commentators, journalists and political figures reacted on Tuesday after Pakistan’s government announced that the national team would play its highly anticipated T20 World Cup fixture against India on February 15.
Pakistan had earlier decided to boycott the match in solidarity with Bangladesh, after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s request to stage its games against India in Sri Lanka.
The decision to reverse the boycott came after an ICC delegation visited Pakistan over the weekend and held discussions with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding the team’s participation. Sri Lanka also reportedly urged Pakistan to go ahead with the contest.
Following the announcement, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath publicly thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s government and the Foreign Office for “positively considering Sri Lanka’s request” to proceed with the match. He also praised the PCB and Pakistan’s sports authorities, calling the move a gesture of sportsmanship and a reflection of strong bilateral ties.
Thankful to Prime Minister @CMShehbaz, the Government of Pakistan, and @ForeignOfficePk for positively considering Sri Lanka’s request. I also appreciate @TheRealPCB and Pakistan’s sports authorities for their cooperation. A gesture that reflects sportsmanship, friendship, and…
— Vijitha Herath (@HMVijithaHerath) February 10, 2026
Expressing happiness
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who spoke with PM Shehbaz earlier, expressed happiness that the game would take place, thanking him for ensuring that cricket continues uninterrupted.
Journalist Faizan Lakhani noted that the president’s remarks showed the issue had extended beyond sport, highlighting Pakistan’s importance in world cricket and the need for government-level involvement to resolve the standoff.
When a head of state publicly thanks Pakistan for agreeing to play a match that doesn’t even involve his own team, it’s clear this was bigger than sport. It highlights Pakistan’s importance in world cricket and shows how government-level intervention was needed to resolve a… https://t.co/UBGxiC9Q68
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) February 9, 2026
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi welcomed the decision, saying the “spirit of cricket has prevailed” and crediting the government for protecting the integrity of the tournament.
The spirit of cricket has prevailed. By choosing the path of participation, the @GovtOfPakistan has protected the sanctity of the #T20WorldCup and ensured the game’s global stability. Cricket wins, which means it will continue to play its pivotal role of bridging the widest of…
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) February 10, 2026
England’s former cricketer Michael Vaughan described the outcome as “great for the competition and cricket”, while also calling for an India-Pakistan Test series in the future.
It’s great for the comp and cricket .. We need them to somehow play a Test series soon as well .. UK would be a great place to host a 3 match series 👍 https://t.co/OBnYu27Tk1
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 9, 2026
Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle suggested Pakistan’s participation had always been inevitable. Veteran journalist Pradeep Magazine told AFP that financial realities likely played a key role, noting the enormous commercial value of an India-Pakistan match.
India may be the economic driver behind cricket and generate revnues and huge money for the game but it needs teams to play against to do so. Sports does not exist in a vacuum.
— Pradeep Magazine (@pradeepmagazine) February 10, 2026
Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal added that Pakistan’s stance had pressured the ICC into intervention, saying strong teams must compete to preserve the World Cup’s appeal.
