Pakistan Government approves national team to face India in Colombo
The uncertainty hovering over the biggest fixture in world cricket has finally cleared. After days of high-voltage drama and diplomatic discussions, the blockbuster India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match is officially back on track. The Pakistan government has given the green signal for their national team to face the Men in Blue on February 15, 2026, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
This decision marks a significant U-turn by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Previously, the board had threatened to boycott the match in solidarity with Bangladesh, who refused to travel to India for the tournament due to security concerns. However, following intense negotiations involving the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the deadlock has been broken.
In a formal statement released on social media, the Government of Pakistan confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the team to take the field. The government cited "outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions" and requests from friendly nations as the primary reasons for ending the standoff. This announcement comes as a massive relief for Odisha cricket fans and enthusiasts worldwide who were eagerly waiting for this high-stakes encounter.
The resolution was not just about India and Pakistan. The ICC adopted a conciliatory approach toward Bangladesh to save the tournament's integrity. It was confirmed that no financial or administrative penalties would be imposed on the BCB for their withdrawal. Furthermore, as part of the new understanding, Bangladesh has been promised the hosting rights for a future ICC event between 2028 and 2031.
BCB President Aminul Islam, who flew to Lahore for emergency talks, publicly requested Pakistan to play the match for the "benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem." This diplomatic push, combined with pressure from other cricketing boards like Sri Lanka and the UAE, paved the way for the match to proceed.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan squad in Colombo remains focused. Pacer Salman Mirza stated that the players were preparing for all matches but were waiting for government instructions regarding the India game. With the political hurdle now removed, the stage is set for an electrifying contest next week.
