T20 World Cup: Pakistan nears U-turn on India boycott, final word on Tuesday
T20 World Cup 2026: The much-anticipated India–Pakistan clash is set to go ahead as per the original schedule on February 15 in Colombo, with official confirmation expected within the next 24 hours.
The blockbuster India-Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to go ahead as per schedule on February 15 in Colombo, with official confirmation expected within the next 24 hours.
The breakthrough follows Sunday's high-level tripartite meeting in Lahore involving the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), as efforts intensified to defuse the standoff over Pakistan's proposed boycott of the marquee fixture.
Pakistan had announced its boycott of the T20 World Cup encounter against India in solidarity with Bangladesh after the latter refused to travel to India for their matches. However, with the ICC opting for a conciliatory approach towards Bangladesh, the PCB now appears ready to reconsider its position.
ICC'S LENIENT VIEW ON BANGLADESH
At the centre of the controversy was Bangladesh's decision not to travel to India for their T20 World Cup fixtures, citing security concerns. With no immediate logistical solution to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with the Scotland national cricket team.
On Monday, the ICC clarified that it would not impose any financial, sporting or administrative sanctions on the BCB.
"It is agreed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter," the ICC said in a statement.
"It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact."
The global body added that its stance was guided by principles of neutrality and fairness, emphasising facilitative support rather than punitive action.
The ICC also confirmed that Bangladesh will host an ICC event between 2028 and 2031, subject to standard hosting processes and operational requirements.
BCB URGES PAKISTAN TO PLAY INDIA
Following his meetings in Lahore with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja, BCB president Aminul Islam formally appealed to Pakistan to play the India match for the larger good of the tournament.
"We are deeply moved by Pakistan's efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish," Islam said.
"Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem."
Islam had travelled to Lahore at the invitation of the PCB, representing Bangladesh in the tripartite discussions aimed at breaking the deadlock.
PCB AWAITS FINAL CLEARANCE
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that a final decision would be taken within 48 hours, pending further communication from the ICC and consultations with the Pakistan government.
"We have had discussions with them (the ICC)," Naqvi said. "It would not be right for me to make any comments right now. Once we get their (the ICC's) response, we will decide. We will go back to the PM (Shehbaz Sharif) for advice once the ICC replies. An announcement will come tomorrow or day after tomorrow."
The PCB had earlier written formally to the ICC, citing the Pakistan government's directive to boycott the February 15 fixture. In response, the ICC sought clarification on the invocation of the force majeure clause and urged the board to reconsider its stance.
It is understood that Mohsin Naqvi told journalists that Pakistan had no issues of its own and had taken a stand purely in solidarity with Bangladesh. He is also believed to have said that the Pakistan Cricket Board remained open to positive developments regarding its boycott stance against India in the T20 World Cup.
PAKISTAN TEAM PREPARES IN COLOMBO
Pakistan pacer Salman Mirza on Monday said the team is focused on its overall T20 World Cup campaign and will take a call on the February 15 clash against arch-rivals India only after a decision from the government.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s match against the USA on Tuesday, Mirza was asked whether the players had discussed the high-profile fixture within the group.
“We are preparing for the entire T20 World Cup. We will play against whichever team we are scheduled to face. It is the government’s decision, and we will do whatever we are instructed to do,” the 32-year-old said.
For now, however, Mirza stressed that the team’s attention remains firmly on the USA, who had beaten Pakistan in the previous edition.
“We are focused on the upcoming match and taking it one game at a time. As for the match on the 15th (against India), that decision rests with the government. Whatever they decide, we will follow,” he added.
WHAT WERE PAKISTAN'S FIVE DEMANDS?
During Sunday's deliberations, the PCB tabled five key demands before the ICC:
No penalty for Bangladesh: Assurance that Bangladesh would face no sanctions and would receive its full share of ICC revenue.
Compensatory global event: Awarding Bangladesh a global tournament, possibly an Under-19 World Cup, after last year's Women's T20 World Cup was moved out of the country due to civil unrest.
Resumption of India-Pakistan bilaterals: A request for the ICC to encourage bilateral cricket between the two nations.
Tri-series proposal: A suggestion to stage an India-Pakistan-Bangladesh tri-series.
India tour of Bangladesh: A proposal for India to tour Bangladesh later this year for a previously postponed series.
While the ICC had independently decided against penalising Bangladesh, it rejected the proposals concerning bilateral and trilateral cricket, reiterating that such matters fall outside its jurisdiction, including within the framework of the World Test Championship.
The blockbuster India-Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to go ahead as per schedule on February 15 in Colombo, with official confirmation expected within the next 24 hours.
The breakthrough follows Sunday's high-level tripartite meeting in Lahore involving the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), as efforts intensified to defuse the standoff over Pakistan's proposed boycott of the marquee fixture.
Pakistan had announced its boycott of the T20 World Cup encounter against India in solidarity with Bangladesh after the latter refused to travel to India for their matches. However, with the ICC opting for a conciliatory approach towards Bangladesh, the PCB now appears ready to reconsider its position.
ICC'S LENIENT VIEW ON BANGLADESH
At the centre of the controversy was Bangladesh's decision not to travel to India for their T20 World Cup fixtures, citing security concerns. With no immediate logistical solution to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with the Scotland national cricket team.
On Monday, the ICC clarified that it would not impose any financial, sporting or administrative sanctions on the BCB.
"It is agreed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter," the ICC said in a statement.
"It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact."
The global body added that its stance was guided by principles of neutrality and fairness, emphasising facilitative support rather than punitive action.
The ICC also confirmed that Bangladesh will host an ICC event between 2028 and 2031, subject to standard hosting processes and operational requirements.
BCB URGES PAKISTAN TO PLAY INDIA
Following his meetings in Lahore with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja, BCB president Aminul Islam formally appealed to Pakistan to play the India match for the larger good of the tournament.
"We are deeply moved by Pakistan's efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish," Islam said.
"Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem."
Islam had travelled to Lahore at the invitation of the PCB, representing Bangladesh in the tripartite discussions aimed at breaking the deadlock.
PCB AWAITS FINAL CLEARANCE
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that a final decision would be taken within 48 hours, pending further communication from the ICC and consultations with the Pakistan government.
"We have had discussions with them (the ICC)," Naqvi said. "It would not be right for me to make any comments right now. Once we get their (the ICC's) response, we will decide. We will go back to the PM (Shehbaz Sharif) for advice once the ICC replies. An announcement will come tomorrow or day after tomorrow."
The PCB had earlier written formally to the ICC, citing the Pakistan government's directive to boycott the February 15 fixture. In response, the ICC sought clarification on the invocation of the force majeure clause and urged the board to reconsider its stance.
It is understood that Mohsin Naqvi told journalists that Pakistan had no issues of its own and had taken a stand purely in solidarity with Bangladesh. He is also believed to have said that the Pakistan Cricket Board remained open to positive developments regarding its boycott stance against India in the T20 World Cup.
PAKISTAN TEAM PREPARES IN COLOMBO
Pakistan pacer Salman Mirza on Monday said the team is focused on its overall T20 World Cup campaign and will take a call on the February 15 clash against arch-rivals India only after a decision from the government.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s match against the USA on Tuesday, Mirza was asked whether the players had discussed the high-profile fixture within the group.
“We are preparing for the entire T20 World Cup. We will play against whichever team we are scheduled to face. It is the government’s decision, and we will do whatever we are instructed to do,” the 32-year-old said.
For now, however, Mirza stressed that the team’s attention remains firmly on the USA, who had beaten Pakistan in the previous edition.
“We are focused on the upcoming match and taking it one game at a time. As for the match on the 15th (against India), that decision rests with the government. Whatever they decide, we will follow,” he added.
WHAT WERE PAKISTAN'S FIVE DEMANDS?
During Sunday's deliberations, the PCB tabled five key demands before the ICC:
No penalty for Bangladesh: Assurance that Bangladesh would face no sanctions and would receive its full share of ICC revenue.
Compensatory global event: Awarding Bangladesh a global tournament, possibly an Under-19 World Cup, after last year's Women's T20 World Cup was moved out of the country due to civil unrest.
Resumption of India-Pakistan bilaterals: A request for the ICC to encourage bilateral cricket between the two nations.
Tri-series proposal: A suggestion to stage an India-Pakistan-Bangladesh tri-series.
India tour of Bangladesh: A proposal for India to tour Bangladesh later this year for a previously postponed series.
While the ICC had independently decided against penalising Bangladesh, it rejected the proposals concerning bilateral and trilateral cricket, reiterating that such matters fall outside its jurisdiction, including within the framework of the World Test Championship.