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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the national cricket team will play its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India on February 15 in Sri Lanka. Earlier, Pakistan had threatened to boycott the game in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were removed from the tournament and replaced by Scotland.
The decision comes after high-level discussions involving the PCB, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the outcome of these talks.
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The Government of Pakistan also reviewed formal requests from the BCB, along with messages of support from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other cricketing nations, urging Pakistan to help resolve the situation.
BCB president Aminul Islam had expressed his gratitude to Pakistan, which the government welcomed, reaffirming that Pakistan continues to stand firmly with Bangladesh.
Earlier in the evening, Prime Minister Sharif spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Both leaders recalled the strong ties between the two countries and agreed on the importance of resolving the matter positively. The Sri Lankan president requested Pakistan to consider a solution that would support the spirit of the game.
After weighing the outcomes of the discussions and the requests of friendly nations, the Government of Pakistan directed the men’s cricket team to take the field for the scheduled match against India.
The government said the decision was made to preserve the spirit of cricket and to ensure the smooth continuation of the global tournament. Prime Minister Sharif and the people of Pakistan wished the team the very best, expressing confidence that the “Men in Green” will compete with pride and sportsmanship on the world stage.
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