Pakistan has officially allowed its national cricket team to play against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, bringing an end to days of uncertainty over the high-profile February 15 clash. The decision follows a late-night government notification reversing an earlier stance to boycott the match.

In its statement, the Pakistan government said the move was taken after considering outcomes of multilateral discussions and appeals from friendly nations. It added that the decision was aimed at protecting the spirit of cricket and ensuring continuity of the global sport.

The clearance means the India-Pakistan match will proceed as scheduled, putting to rest speculation surrounding one of the most watched fixtures in world cricket.

Diplomatic outreach preceded reversal

The turnaround came after discussions involving the Pakistan Cricket Board, Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council, which were held in Lahore. Around the same time, Bangladesh cricket officials urged Pakistan to reconsider its position in the interest of the wider cricketing ecosystem.

Bangladesh’s cricket board chief publicly appealed to Pakistan to take the field, framing the request as one made for the benefit of the game. The appeal also provided Pakistan with diplomatic space to revise its earlier position without appearing to retreat unilaterally.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier publicly supported a boycott of the India match, linking it to developments involving Bangladesh. The subsequent outreach from regional partners helped create a pathway for Islamabad to change course.

ICC stance and broader implications

Following the talks, the ICC confirmed that no penalties would be imposed on Bangladesh despite its non-participation in the tournament. Bangladesh has already been replaced by Scotland in the competition lineup.

The world body also reiterated that all member boards are expected to honour their commitments to ICC events and work collectively to ensure the success of the tournament.

The ICC acknowledged the role played by all stakeholders in resolving the issue, stating that dialogue was conducted in a constructive manner focused on integrity, neutrality and cooperation.

PCB reaction and earlier demands

Before the official government clearance, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi had indicated that the board was not concerned about possible sanctions. During discussions with ICC officials, the PCB had raised demands including resumption of bilateral cricket with India and a proposed tri-series involving Bangladesh.

While bilateral cricket was ruled outside the ICC’s jurisdiction, the tri-series proposal did not find support.

With the government’s approval now in place, Pakistan will take the field against India as scheduled, marking a formal end to the boycott episode.

The standoff surrounding Pakistan’s decision to boycott its T20 World Cup group-stage match against India appears to be entering its final phase, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejecting several key demands raised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during negotiations.

Senior officials from the PCB, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and the ICC recently held discussions aimed at resolving the deadlock over what is widely considered the most commercially significant fixture of the tournament. Estimates suggest the India–Pakistan clash alone could be worth more than Rs 4,000 crore when broadcast, sponsorship, and commercial factors are taken into account.

According to sources, while some proposals received partial consideration, the ICC firmly declined requests that involved bilateral cricketing arrangements.

What Pakistan asked for and how the ICC responded

One of the PCB’s demands was that Bangladesh should not face any financial penalty despite not playing the T20 World Cup. The ICC clarified that this had already been decided, confirming that Bangladesh would receive its full revenue share.

The PCB also sought an additional ICC event for Bangladesh in the next cycle as compensation. In response, the ICC indicated that hosting an Under-19 World Cup during the upcoming cycle is under consideration.

However, Pakistan’s more politically sensitive proposals were rejected. The PCB urged the ICC to intervene in facilitating a bilateral series between India and Pakistan. The ICC declined, stating that bilateral series fall outside its jurisdiction, including within the framework of the World Test Championship.

A proposal for a tri-series involving India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh also met a similar fate, with the ICC reiterating that it has no authority to mandate such tournaments. Likewise, a request for ICC involvement in ensuring an India tour of Bangladesh in 2026 was turned down, with the council maintaining that international tours are decided directly between cricket boards.

Deadline given, decision awaited

Sources said the ICC has granted the PCB a 24-hour window after chairman Mohsin Naqvi requested time to consult Pakistan’s Prime Minister. A follow-up meeting is expected soon, and an official announcement from the ICC is likely within the next day.

With commercial stakes high and the tournament schedule looming, the coming hours could determine whether Pakistan formally reverses its boycott stance or allows the issue to escalate further.

Pakistan has conveyed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it is open to ending its proposed boycott of the India match at the T20 World Cup 2026, but only if certain conditions are met, according to media sources.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier indicated it would not play the high-profile group match against India and was warned by the ICC about possible consequences of such a move. The matter was discussed during a meeting between PCB officials and ICC representatives in Lahore on Sunday.

Three demands raised during ICC meeting

According to sources, the PCB outlined three key demands aimed at resolving the broader impasse with the ICC.

The first demand relates to increased financial compensation for Bangladesh. The board believes Bangladesh deserves a higher share from the ICC, citing its contribution to international cricket and the need for greater funding to strengthen infrastructure, player development and team performance.

The second demand involves a participation fee for Bangladesh despite its early exit from the T20 World Cup. The argument put forward is that teams invest significant resources in preparation and should receive a guaranteed financial return regardless of results.

The third demand concerns hosting rights for a future ICC tournament. Bangladesh, according to the discussions, is seeking the opportunity to host a global event, with the view that it now has adequate facilities and fan support to stage a major competition.

Decision on India match still pending

While some PCB officials are understood to be open to playing the India match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has not yet taken a cooperative position on the issue.

Sources said Naqvi is expected to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday to seek further guidance before a final decision is made.

Background to the standoff

The ICC removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup last month after the team refused to travel to India for its matches, citing security concerns. The global body maintained there was no verified threat, but Bangladesh held its ground, leading to Scotland being named as a replacement.

Pakistan has since publicly supported Bangladesh’s position. In addition to discussions with the ICC, PCB officials, including Naqvi, have held talks with Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam Bulbul regarding the situation.

The controversy intensified after the ICC sought clarification on the use of the force majeure clause, particularly after the PCB pointed to government involvement in the decision-making process.

On-field action continues

Amid the off-field developments, Pakistan began its T20 World Cup campaign with a narrow three-wicket win over the Netherlands in Colombo on Saturday, easing early pressure on the team.