New Delhi: Pakistan have clarified that they wanted to boycott their T20 World Cup match against India to point the unjust way Bangladesh were kicked out of the tournament.
Pakistan refused to play the money-minting clash on February 15 once the International Cricket Council removed Bangladesh for declining to play their group games in India citing security issues.
But after a meeting between officials of the ICC, Pakistan Cricket Board and Bangladesh Cricket Board the boycott threat was revoked, with the match proceeding as per schedule in Colombo.
“We did not discuss anything apart from Bangladesh, our only purpose was to get Bangladesh respect, to highlight the injustice done to them. And you saw that whatever demands Bangladesh made, they were accepted. That’s it,” PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said, as quoted by PTI.
“We had no personal interest in the meeting… our task was purely related to Bangladesh. The government made the decision on that (basis).
“When their demands have been accepted, and it has been acknowledged that injustice was done to them, we are playing after that,” he added.
No sanctions
Naqvi attended the meeting along with BCB chairman Aminul Islam and ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja in Lahore, following which it was decided that Bangladesh won’t face any additional sanctions.
“It is agreed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter,” ICC said in a statement.
“… it was agreed that all members will respect their commitments as per the terms of participation for ICC events and do all that is necessary to ensure that the ongoing edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is a success.”
Pakistan government too lifted embargo on the India game, keeping in mind the broader implications of a pull-out, after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a call from Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
“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 scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the Pakistan government stated on Monday.
“…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.