ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Government of Pakistan has officially allowed the Pakistan national team to play the match against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 as scheduled on February 15, at the request of several cricket boards.
According to the statement issued on social media, “the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
Earlier this month, Pakistan announced to boycott the match against India in the T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were forced to quit the World Cup for not traveling to India over security concerns.
The government said that “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been formally briefed by the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mr. 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).”
ISLAMABAD, February 9, 2026.
The Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shehbaz Sharif has been formally briefed by the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, regarding the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, representatives of…
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 9, 2026
It added that the Government of Pakistan has “reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, as well as the supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations.”
“These correspondences sought Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges,” the statement reads.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister’s Office said that the Sri Lankan President has requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that “the Pakistani cricket team should play the match against India being held in Sri Lanka.”
پاکستانی کرکٹ ٹیم کو سری لنکا میں منعقدہ پاک بھارت میچ کھیلنا چاہئیے. سری لنکن صدر کی وزیرِ اعظم شہباز شریف کو درخواست.
سری لنکا میں دھشتگردی کے دوران پاکستان نے سری لنکن کرکٹ کو بھرپور طریقے سے سپورٹ کیا. سری لنکن صدر
پاکستان نے سری لنکا کے ساتھ اپنے دیرینہ تعلقات کو ہر چیز پر… pic.twitter.com/jHHkenxhcb
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 9, 2026
“During the terrorism in Sri Lanka, Pakistan fully supported Sri Lankan cricket,” the Sri Lankan President said, adding that Pakistan has prioritized its longstanding relations with Sri Lanka above everything else, and the Pakistani cricket team continued its tours to play cricket in Sri Lanka despite the terrorism.
Prime Minister welcomed the sentiments of the Sri Lankan President. “Sri Lanka also stood fully with Pakistan during difficult times in Pakistan and continued cricket in Pakistan,” the PM said.
“Just recently, as well, the Sri Lankan team took an unforgettable step for the Pakistani nation and cricket fans by not canceling their tour of Pakistan,” he added.
According to the statement, Sharif has told the Sri Lankan president that he will inform him of the final decision after consultations regarding the Pakistan-India match of the T20 World Cup.
