Pakistan will take the field against India on February 15 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally approved the match following consultations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In a statement shared on The decision, according to the statement, was guided by the need to "protect the spirit of cricket" and maintain continuity in world sport. He noted that Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE and other member countries had asked Pakistan to break the deadlock. The BCB expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support, while Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urged the Prime Minister to consider the meeting, recalling Pakistan’s past solidarity with Sri Lankan cricket in difficult times. Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed these sentiments, highlighting the long-standing fraternal ties between the two nations and recalling Sri Lanka’s recent tour of Pakistan as a "memorable gesture for the nation and the fans."
The move comes as the ICC confirmed that no penalties or sanctions would be imposed on Bangladesh for their non-participation in the T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. In a joint statement with the PCB and BCB, the governing body noted that Bangladesh remains a valued full member with a rich cricketing history and a vital role in global cricket development. ICC Director General Sanjog Gupta stressed that Bangladesh’s absence "does not alter the ICC’s enduring commitment to the nation as cricket’s core ecosystem" and highlighted that Bangladesh would host an ICC event before the 2031 Men’s Cricket World Cup, reflecting its confidence in its hosting capacity. The statement further highlights that continued dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement among all stakeholders aims to "protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity," while ensuring the sport continues to thrive in South Asia and beyond. Pakistan’s T20 campaign began on a winning note against the Netherlands on February 7, and the Men in Green are now gearing up for their second match against the United States on February 11, ahead of the showpiece tournament against India on February 15. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision as "great" and praised the diplomacy of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, while media reports confirmed that India had accepted Pakistan’s preconditions for the meeting. Naqvi, earlier speaking informally to reporters, reiterated that Pakistan has always supported Bangladesh, stressing that the decision to host the mega-event reflects solidarity rather than self-interest. Fans across the country are eagerly awaiting this clash, confident that the Pakistan team will demonstrate sportsmanship, national pride and resilience on the field as they compete for global glory in one of the most watched cricket tournaments. The T20 World Cup 2026, featuring 20 teams divided into four groups, began on Saturday. Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Netherlands, India, USA and Namibia, and are expected to play all their matches in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh was originally included in the tournament, but asked the ICC to move its matches from India to Sri Lanka after its star player, Mustafizur Rehman, was released from the Indian Premier League by organizers following objections from ruling party activists. The ICC declined the request and replaced them with Scotland when Bangladesh refused to play in India due to security concerns. Pakistan supported Bangladesh and protested against the ICC decision. Subsequently, Pakistan had initially decided that the team would not face India in the tournament, creating uncertainty around the match. The government’s announcement triggered intense discussions with the ICC, which continued its engagements with CPC leaders to resolve the impasse. The ICC has tasked its vice-president, Imran Khawaja, with persuading Pakistan to reconsider its decision. On Sunday, Khawaja and BCB president Aminul Islam visited Lahore and held marathon talks with Naqvi at the PCB headquarters at Gaddafi Stadium. Also present were HBL Pakistan Super League Managing Director Salman Naseer and PCB Advisor Amir Mir. During the meeting, Khawaja reportedly urged the PCB to reconsider its decision, stressing that Pakistan should participate in the match for the sake of the sport. The BCB president thanked Pakistan for supporting Bangladesh’s position. After the deliberations, Khawaja was to inform the ICC of the proceedings and, in light of his report, the ICC would inform the PCB of its response. The PCB confirmed that Naqvi would brief the Prime Minister, who would take the final decision on the match against India. The joint statement said all stakeholders recognize that the spirit of this agreement is to protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity. "We continue to focus on close collaboration with key stakeholders," said ICC Managing Director Gupta.
