Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan speaks to Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill in the course of the Asia cup match in opposition to India at Dubai Worldwide Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. — AFPPakistan to face arch-rival India in Colombo on Feb 15.Resolution reached in PM Shehbaz–Sri Lankan president telephone name.Sri Lankan president requests Pakistan to play match in opposition to India.
ISLAMABAD: On the request of pleasant nations, the federal authorities on Monday directed the Pakistan nationwide crew to play its scheduled ICC Males’s T20 World Cup match in opposition to India on February 15 in Colombo.
Pakistan had determined to not play in opposition to arch-rival India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who have been kicked out of the event for citing safety considerations and standing agency on their choice to not ship their crew to New Delhi.
In line with an announcement from the Prime Minister’s Workplace, the 2 leaders mentioned the T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India in the course of the phone name.
The Sri Lankan president requested PM Shehbaz that Pakistani cricket crew ought to play the Pakistan-India match in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan absolutely supported Sri Lankan cricket in the course of the terrorism in Sri Lanka, the president mentioned, including Pakistan gave precedence to its long-standing relations with Sri Lanka above all else and the Pakistani cricket crew continued to tour Sri Lanka to play cricket regardless of terrorism.
PM Shehbaz welcomed the feelings of the Sri Lankan president.
He mentioned that Sri Lanka additionally supplied full help in troublesome occasions and cricket continued in Pakistan.
“Recently, the Sri Lankan team took an unforgettable step for the Pakistani nation and cricket fans by not cancelling the tour of Pakistan,” the PM added.
PM Shehbaz advised the Sri Lankan president that he’ll inform him of the ultimate choice after consultations concerning the Pakistan-India match of the T20 World Cup.
‘No penalty for BCB’
The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that no monetary, sporting or administrative penalty can be imposed on the BCB following discussions over the nationwide crew’s absence from the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026.
“This dialogue covered several matters, including but not limited to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia,” learn the assertion.
Whereas reflecting on the Bangladesh cricket crew’s unlucky absence from the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup, the worldwide governing physique for cricket reaffirmed BCB’s place as a valued Full Member, with a proud cricketing historical past and an important position within the progress of the worldwide sport.
The assertion mentioned that BCB retains the appropriate to strategy the Dispute Decision Committee (DRC), ought to it select to take action. This proper exists underneath present ICC laws and stays intact.
“The ICC’s approach is guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflects the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment,” the assertion added.
As a part of this understanding, an settlement has been reached that Bangladesh will host an ICC occasion previous to the ICC Males’s Cricket World Cup 2031, topic to the standard ICC internet hosting processes, timelines and operational necessities.
“This reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s capability as a host and reinforces the ICC’s commitment to providing meaningful hosting opportunities across its membership to develop cricket in the country,” it added.
The ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and BCB, together with different members, stay dedicated to continued dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement in the very best pursuits of the game.
All stakeholders acknowledge that the spirit of this understanding is to guard the integrity of the sport and protect unity inside the cricket fraternity.
ICC Chief Government Sanjog Gupta mentioned: “Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter the ICC’s enduring commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation.”
He added: “Our focus continues to be on working closely with key stakeholders including BCB to ensure the sport grows sustainably in the country and that future opportunities for its players and fans are strengthened.”
He mentioned that Bangladesh stays a precedence cricket ecosystem deserving of long-term funding in its growth, competitiveness and world integration, and isn’t outlined by short-term disruptions.
Individually, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam, in an announcement, requested Pakistan to play their scheduled sport in opposition to India.
A day after visiting Pakistan, the BCB president expressing gratitude to the PCB chief for his help.
“The BCB wishes to express its profound and heartfelt gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi, his Board and the cricket fans of Pakistan. Throughout this period, the PCB has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity,” learn the assertion issued by the BCB.
The BCB president mentioned that Dhaka was “deeply moved” by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and past in supporting Bangladesh in its dispute with the ICC.
The BCB additionally appreciated ICC and all concerned for his or her constructive roles in making an attempt to beat the latest disaster.
A day earlier, the PCB and the ICC together with the BCB held talks for greater than 5 hours with Naqvi, BCB President Aminul Islam and ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja in attendance.
Throughout the assembly, the sources mentioned, the ICC responded positively to Bangladesh’s calls for, and a system to deal with grievances with the BCB has been ready. Each ICC and BCB exchanged proposals, whereas the PCB acted as the principle coordinator in the course of the discussions.
With ICC’s deputy chief Khwaja returning to the cricketing physique’s headquarters for last approval of the proposals and BCB’s Islam heading again to Bangladesh to transient Dhaka, the sources mentioned that the ICC has responded positively to Bangladesh’s calls for, and a system to deal with grievances with the BCB has been ready.
As soon as the system is agreed upon, ICC and BCB officers will reconnect within the afternoon immediately finalise the following steps, they added.
ICC-BCB saga
Tensions flared between the cricket boards of Bangladesh and India after Bangladesh’s star pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on the course of the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI), sparking outrage in Dhaka.
Later, the BCB requested the ICC to shift its matches exterior India, however the worldwide cricket physique rejected the plea.
The PCB, nevertheless, reacted strongly to the ICC’s choice and as an alternative determined to boycott its India match over bias in opposition to Bangladesh.
Any conflict between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is likely one of the most profitable fixtures in cricket, value thousands and thousands of {dollars} in broadcast, sponsorship and promoting income.
In industrial phrases, the general worth of a single India-Pakistan T20 match is estimated at round $500 million, or roughly INR45,000 crore, when broadcast rights, promoting premiums, sponsorship activations, ticket gross sales and downstream industrial exercise are taken under consideration.
In line with a report, promoting slots throughout an India-Pakistan T20 match command between INR25 lakh and INR40 lakh for a 10-second spot, considerably larger than even knockout matches involving India in opposition to different prime groups.
Essentially the most quick monetary influence could be felt by the official broadcast rights holder, as promoting income from the India-Pakistan match alone is estimated at round INR300 crore, the Indian publication cited business projections as suggesting.
