Pakistan agrees to face India in T20 clash

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Pakistan has formally approved its national men’s cricket team to take part in its scheduled fixture at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on February 15, 2026, following intensive consultations involving regional cricket boards and the International Cricket Council.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed earlier by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the outcome of high-level discussions between the PCB, the ICC, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

According to the government, Islamabad also examined formal representations sent by the BCB, along with messages of support from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and other member nations, urging Pakistan to help find a constructive way forward amid recent difficulties surrounding the tournament.

The government acknowledged remarks made by BCB President Amin ul Islam, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to stand with Bangladesh in safeguarding the interests of international cricket.

In a separate diplomatic outreach, Prime Minister Sharif held a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during which both leaders underlined the long-standing relationship between their countries. The Sri Lankan leader appealed to Pakistan to play a positive role in resolving the ongoing impasse through dialogue and cooperation.

Taking into account the results of multilateral engagements and requests from friendly countries, the Pakistani government directed the national side to participate in the February 15 fixture.

Officials said the decision reflects Pakistan’s intention to uphold the spirit of the game and to ensure the smooth continuation of the global tournament across all participating nations.

The Prime Minister, on behalf of the government and the public, extended best wishes to the “Men in Green”, expressing confidence that the team will represent Pakistan with sportsmanship and national pride on the world stage.