PCB Chief gets green signal despite ongoing Bangladesh cricket controversy

Despite looming uncertainties and diplomatic tensions, the highly anticipated Pakistan vs India T20 World Cup clash is set to go ahead. Sources confirm that the Pakistan government has officially granted permission for the national squad to face their arch-rivals in Colombo during the upcoming ICC tournament.

This major development comes fresh off the heels of a high-profile meeting in Islamabad on Monday between Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. While official channels have been cautious—with Naqvi stating on social media that a formal announcement would drop by Friday or next Monday—insiders have revealed that the decision to play is already solidified.

The build-up to this decision was fraught with speculation. Rumors had been swirling that Pakistan might boycott the match, or even the entire World Cup, as a gesture of solidarity with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Bangladesh was recently replaced by Scotland in the tournament schedule after refusing to travel to India due to security concerns, a move that sparked significant debate in the cricketing world.

However, the meeting between the PCB chief and the Prime Minister seems to have resolved the immediate deadlock regarding the India match. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, described the discussion as "productive." According to his social media update, PM Sharif directed the board to keep all options open while resolving the ICC matter.

While the game is on, it may not be business as usual. Reports suggest that the Pakistan team might register a symbolic protest during the event. This could involve players wearing black armbands or the board issuing a strong statement supporting Bangladesh prior to the match. Additionally, PM Sharif has reportedly instructed the PCB to formally write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the treatment of the Bangladesh team.

For Odisha sports news followers and cricket lovers worldwide, this news comes as a relief, ensuring that one of the sport's biggest rivalries will indeed take center stage in ICC T20 World Cup 2026.