The India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 blockbuster is scheduled to go ahead on February 15 in Colombo, with official confirmation expected in the next 24 hours.
The breakthrough follows a high-level tripartite meeting in Lahore on Sunday involving the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as efforts intensified to defuse the impasse over Pakistan’s proposed boycott of the marquee match.
In solidarity with Bangladesh, Pakistan has announced a boycott of the T20 World Cup clash against India after Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the matches. With the ICC opting for a conciliatory approach towards Bangladesh, the PCB now seems ready to rethink its stance.
GREAT VIEW OF BANGLADESH BY ICC
At the center of the controversy was Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India for T20 World Cup matches, citing security concerns. With no immediate logistical solution to relocating their matches to Sri Lanka, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with the Scotland national cricket team.
on monday, The ICC has clarified that it will not deposit any fundssporting or administrative sanctions on the BCB.
“It is agreed that no financial, sporting or administrative sanction will be imposed on the Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter,” the ICC said in a statement.
“It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to refer to the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) if it so chooses. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains unaffected.”
The global body added that its stance was guided by the principles of neutrality and fairness, emphasizing facilitative support rather than punitive action.
The ICC also confirmed that Bangladesh will host an ICC event from 2028 to 2031 in accordance with standard hosting processes and operational requirements.
BCB INVITES PAKISTAN TO PLAY INDIA
After a meeting in Lahore with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC vice-chairman Imran Khwaja, BCB president Aminul Islam formally appealed to Pakistan to play a match against India for the greater good of the tournament.
“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond to support Bangladesh at this time. May our brotherhood flourish,” Islam said.
“Following my brief visit to Pakistan yesterday and in view of the outcome of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play an ICC T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 for the benefit of the entire cricketing ecosystem.”
Islam traveled to Lahore at the invitation of the PCB and represented Bangladesh in tripartite discussions aimed at breaking the deadlock.
PCB AWAITS FINAL COLLECTION
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 (ICC),” Naqvi said. “It would not be right for me to make any comments now. Once we receive their (ICC) response, we will take a decision. We will go back to the Prime Minister (Shehbaz Sharif) for advice once the ICC responds. The announcement will come tomorrow or the day after.”
The PCB had earlier formally written to the ICC citing the Pakistan government’s order to boycott the February 15 match. In response, the ICC asked for clarification on the use of the force majeure clause and called on the governing body to reconsider its position.
Mohsin Naqvi is understood to have told reporters that Pakistan had no problems of its own and that he had taken a stand of pure solidarity with Bangladesh. He is also understood to have said that the Pakistan Cricket Board remained open to positive developments regarding its boycott against India in the T20 World Cup.
PAKISTAN TEAM PREPARING IN COLUMBO
Pakistani pacer Salman Mirza said on Monday that the team is focused on his overall T20 World Cup campaign and will accept the call-up for the February 15 clash against arch-rivals India pending a decision by the government.
At a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s match against the USA on Tuesday, Mirza was asked if the players had discussed the crucial group game.
“We are preparing for the entire T20 World Cup. We will play against any team we face. It is the government’s decision and we will do whatever we are told,” the 32-year-old said.
For now, however, Mirza stressed that the team’s focus remains firmly on the USA, who defeated Pakistan in the previous edition.
“We are focusing on the upcoming match and taking it one match at a time. As far as the 15th match (against India) is concerned, the decision rests with the government. Whatever they decide, we will follow,” he added.
WHAT WERE PAKISTAN’S FIVE DEMANDS?
During Sunday’s PCB deliberations, five key demands were made to the ICC:
No penalty for Bangladesh: An assurance that Bangladesh will not face any sanctions and that it will receive its full share of the ICC’s revenue.
Compensation worldwide action: Awarding the global tournament to Bangladesh, possibly the Under-19 World Cup, after last year’s Women’s T20 World Cup was moved from the country due to civil unrest.
Renewal of bilateral relations between India and Pakistan: A request for the ICC to promote bilateral cricket between the two nations.
Offer of three series: A proposal to stage an India-Pakistan-Bangladesh tri-series.
India’s tour of Bangladesh: Suggestion for India to tour Bangladesh later this year for the previously postponed series.
While the ICC independently decided against penalizing Bangladesh, it rejected suggestions regarding bilateral and trilateral cricket, reiterating that such matters do not fall under its jurisdiction, even in the context of the World Test Championship.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
February 9, 2026