- Govt says decision aimed at protecting spirit of cricket.
- Bangladesh, Sri Lanka request Pakistan to play India game.
- BCB president says “deeply moved” by Pakistan’s efforts.
ISLAMABAD: At the request of friendly countries, the federal government on Monday directed the Pakistan national team to play its scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo.
The prime minister made the decision after being briefed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
“The government of Pakistan has reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the BCB, as well as the supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations,” read a statement issued by the government.
The decision has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket, and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations, it added.
The statement further said that the prime minister and the people of Pakistan extend their best wishes to the “Men in Green.”
“We remain confident that our team will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride onto the field as they compete for global glory,” read the statement.
Pakistan had decided not to play against arch-rival India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were kicked out of the tournament after they refused to travel to India, citing security concerns.
After Pakistan’s announcement, the ICC’s deputy chairman travelled to Lahore on Sunday to discuss the situation with the PCB chief in a meeting attended by the BCB president.
‘No penalty for BCB’
Following the discussion, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on the BCB over Bangladesh’s absence from the tournament.
“This dialogue covered several matters, including but not limited to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia,” read a statement issued by the ICC.
While reflecting on the Bangladesh cricket team’s unfortunate absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the global governing body for cricket reaffirmed BCB’s position as a valued Full Member, with a proud cricketing history and a vital role in the growth of the global game.
The statement said 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 ICC’s approach is guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflects the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment,” the statement added.
As part of this understanding, an agreement has been reached that Bangladesh will host an ICC event prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2031, subject to the usual ICC hosting processes, timelines and operational requirements.
“This reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s capability as a host and reinforces the ICC’s commitment to providing meaningful hosting opportunities across its membership to develop cricket in the country,” it added.
The ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and BCB, along with other members, remain committed to continued dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement in the best interests of the sport.
All stakeholders acknowledge that the spirit of this understanding is to protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity.
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said: “Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter the ICC’s enduring commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation.”
He added: “Our focus continues to be on working closely with key stakeholders including BCB to ensure the sport grows sustainably in the country and that future opportunities for its players and fans are strengthened.”
He said that Bangladesh remains a priority cricket ecosystem deserving of long-term investment in its development, competitiveness and global integration, and is not defined by short-term disruptions.
Separately, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam, in a statement, requested Pakistan to play their scheduled game against India.
A day after visiting Pakistan, the BCB president expressed gratitude to the PCB chief for his support.
“The BCB wishes to express its profound and heartfelt gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi, his Board and the cricket fans of Pakistan. Throughout this period, the PCB has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity,” read the statement issued by the BCB.
The BCB president said that Dhaka was “deeply moved” by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh in its dispute with the ICC.
“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 eco system,” he said.
The BCB also appreciated ICC and all involved for their positive roles in trying to overcome the recent crisis.
A day earlier, the PCB and the ICC along with the BCB held talks for more than five hours with Naqvi, BCB President Aminul Islam and ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja in attendance.
During the meeting, the sources said, the ICC responded positively to Bangladesh’s demands, and a formula to address grievances with the BCB has been prepared. Both ICC and BCB exchanged proposals, while the PCB acted as the main coordinator during the discussions.
ICC-BCB saga
Tensions flared between the cricket boards of Bangladesh and India after Bangladesh’s star pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the direction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), sparking outrage in Dhaka.
Later, the BCB requested the ICC to shift its matches outside India, but the international cricket body rejected the plea.
Following the BCB’s firm stance, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament, saying it was not feasible to change the schedule so close to the February 7 start of the event.
The PCB, however, reacted strongly to the ICC’s decision and instead decided to boycott its India match over bias against Bangladesh.
Any clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrative fixtures in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue.
In commercial terms, the overall value of a single India-Pakistan T20 match is estimated at around $500 million, or approximately INR45,000 crore, when broadcast rights, advertising premiums, sponsorship activations, ticket sales and downstream commercial activity are taken into account.
According to a report, advertising slots during an India-Pakistan T20 match command between INR25 lakh and INR40 lakh for a 10-second spot, significantly higher than even knockout matches involving India against other top teams.
The most immediate financial impact would be felt by the official broadcast rights holder, as advertising revenue from the India-Pakistan match alone is estimated at around INR300 crore, the Indian publication cited industry projections as suggesting.
