The Pakistan government has formally allowed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in the highly anticipated Pakistan vs India T20 World Cup match scheduled for February 15, bringing clarity to one of the most sensitive fixtures in international cricket.
The approval was granted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following high-level consultations involving the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The decision ends days of speculation surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the marquee clash.
According to an official government statement, the prime minister was briefed by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the outcome of multilateral discussions, including correspondence with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other ICC member nations. These talks focused on resolving concerns linked to Bangladesh’s absence from the tournament and ensuring continuity of the global cricket calendar.
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Earlier, the ICC accepted Pakistan’s stance regarding Bangladesh’s non-participation and decided to waive any potential fines on the BCB, describing the situation as disappointing but manageable through cooperation and dialogue. ICC officials confirmed that discussions among stakeholders remained constructive and positive, emphasizing long-term interests of international cricket.
BCB President Md Aminul Islam publicly thanked Pakistan for its diplomatic support during the dispute. “We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to support Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish,” he said, while also requesting Pakistan to take part in the February 15 clash against India for the benefit of the global cricket ecosystem.
As a co-host of the tournament, Sri Lanka also welcomed Pakistan’s decision to play the match in Colombo, appreciating the spirit of sportsmanship shown by the Men in Green.
The Government of Pakistan stated that the decision to allow the Pakistan–India match was taken to uphold the spirit of cricket, protect the interests of all participating nations, and support the smooth conduct of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the nation extended their best wishes to Pakistan’s team, expressing confidence that the players will compete with professionalism, national pride, and true sporting spirit on the world stage.
