Pakistan to play India in Colombo at T20 World Cup after boycott called off
Decision comes after leaders of Pakistan, Sri Lanka meet, following which Pakistani team are ordered to ‘take the field’ on Sunday
Pakistan’s government on Monday directed the country’s cricket team to play India in the T20 World Cup on February 15 in Colombo, ending a week-long stand-off.
The decision came after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and was briefed on negotiations between Pakistan’s cricket board, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other stakeholders.
“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026” for its match against India, the government’s official X account said in a post.
“Moreover, this 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,” the statement added.
The U-turn came after a frantic weekend of negotiations to end Pakistan’s boycott of the match, with the ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chiefs travelling to Lahore for talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday.
Matches between arch-rivals India and Pakistan are among the most lucrative in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue.