Javdev Shah, a member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Apex Council, welcomed the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) firm stance following Pakistan’s decision to participate in their scheduled T20 World Cup match against India on February 15, 2026. He described the ICC’s position as a significant step demonstrating the tournament’s importance and the necessity to keep politics separate from sport.
Pakistan had initially announced a boycott of the match but reversed their course after the Government of Pakistan instructed the national cricket team to take the field. “This is a huge step by ICC, which shows the World Cup is an important tournament for every country and there should be no politics in it. We are very happy with the ICC’s stance. Pakistan had to change its decision,” Shah said.
The reversal followed a briefing by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the outcomes of negotiations involving the PCB, ICC, and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Previously, Pakistan had declared a boycott in support of Bangladesh, which was removed from the tournament after the ICC rejected its request to relocate matches outside India due to security concerns.
The Government of Pakistan issued an official statement outlining Prime Minister Sharif’s communication with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who urged a peaceful resolution amid ongoing tensions. The statement noted, “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.”
Furthermore, the PCB chairman formally informed the Prime Minister about discussions with ICC and BCB representatives. The ICC held talks with PCB and BCB officials at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium following Pakistan’s initial boycott announcement.
BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul also urged Pakistan to participate in the February 15 match. Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the tournament after the ICC declined Bangladesh’s request to play all matches outside India. This request followed Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the Bangladesh squad, ordered by the BCCI amid concerns over minority rights violations in Bangladesh.