Pakistan to Face India in T20 World Cup Match After Government Clearance
By Bilal Haider :
The federal government on Monday instructed Pakistan’s national cricket team to participate in its scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo, following appeals from several friendly nations.
The decision was taken by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after receiving a detailed briefing from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who outlined the outcomes of high-level discussions involving the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
In an official statement, the government said it had carefully reviewed formal requests submitted by Bangladesh, along with supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other ICC member states.
The move, the statement added, was made in the interest of preserving the spirit of cricket and ensuring the continuity of the sport at the global level.
The prime minister and the people of Pakistan extended their best wishes to the national team, expressing confidence that the players would uphold sportsmanship and represent the country with pride on the world stage.
Background to the Decision
Pakistan had earlier announced it would not play against India in solidarity with Bangladesh, which was excluded from the tournament after refusing to travel to India over security concerns.
Following Pakistan’s stance, the ICC’s deputy chairman travelled to Lahore for talks with PCB leadership in a meeting that was also attended by the BCB president.
Sri Lanka Welcomes the Development
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake welcomed Pakistan’s decision, thanking Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his role in ensuring the match goes ahead.
He said Sri Lanka, as a co-host of the tournament, appreciated the collective efforts of all parties involved. He also recalled how both Pakistan and India had supported Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup when other teams had declined to tour due to security concerns.
ICC Confirms No Sanctions on Bangladesh
Following the talks, the ICC confirmed that Bangladesh would not face any financial, sporting, or administrative penalties for its absence from the tournament.
In a statement, the ICC said discussions covered multiple issues, including future tournaments and the overall development of cricket in South Asia. The governing body reaffirmed Bangladesh’s status as a full member and acknowledged its long-standing contribution to the sport.
The ICC also noted that Bangladesh retains the right to approach its Dispute Resolution Committee if it chooses.
As part of a broader understanding, it was agreed that Bangladesh will host an ICC event ahead of the 2031 Cricket World Cup, subject to standard procedures and approvals.
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said while Bangladesh’s absence was unfortunate, it did not change the ICC’s long-term commitment to supporting cricket in the country.
Bangladesh Thanks Pakistan
BCB President Aminul Islam publicly thanked the PCB and Pakistan’s cricket community for their support throughout the dispute.
He said Bangladesh was deeply appreciative of Pakistan’s solidarity and formally requested Pakistan to proceed with the February 15 match against India for the benefit of the global cricket ecosystem.
He also acknowledged the ICC’s efforts in resolving the crisis.
Commercial Impact of India-Pakistan Matches
Matches between India and Pakistan remain among the most financially valuable fixtures in world cricket, generating massive revenue through broadcasting, advertising, sponsorships, and ticket sales.
Industry estimates suggest that a single India-Pakistan T20 match can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars in combined commercial value, with advertising slots priced significantly higher than other international games.
Broadcasters, in particular, stand to gain heavily, as advertising revenue from this one match alone is projected to run into hundreds of crores of rupees.
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