Pakistan’s determination to go forward with the match was hailed as an outbreak of ‘good sense’ and ‘good for cricket’
Followers of India and Pakistan are anticipated to fill out the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium. PHOTO: AFP
India stated on Tuesday it might be “a problem” to face a “high quality” Pakistan group in Colombo after Islamabad determined to play the blockbuster T20 World Cup conflict.
The federal authorities late on Monday ended a week-long stand-off by rescinding its order for the cricket group to boycott the February 15 match.
“It is nice that the sport is again on, we sort of by no means modified the preparation,” stated India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
India will face a second Group A match in opposition to Namibia on Thursday in New Delhi earlier than flying to Sri Lanka.
It means a fast turnaround for Sunday’s match, the most important and most profitable conflict in world cricket. “It will be a problem going to Colombo the place Pakistan have been for the final two weeks,” added Doeschate.
He additional stated, “We’re delighted to have one other probability to play in opposition to a top quality facet within the first part of the event. We’re totally centered on simply bringing our greatest sport to that fixture.”
Learn Extra: Pakistan had no ‘private agenda’ in conferences with ICC, BCB officers: Naqvi
Pakistan’s determination to go forward with the match was hailed at this time as an outbreak of “good sense” and “good for cricket”.
A frantic weekend of negotiations noticed the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chiefs fly to Lahore on Sunday for talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The governments of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka each wrote to Islamabad on Monday urging it to vary its stance and permit the sport to go forward.
After “multilateral discussions, in addition to the request of pleasant nations, the Authorities of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan Nationwide Cricket Workforce to take the sector on February 15”, the federal government stated on its official X account late on Monday night time. The choice had been taken with the goal of “defending the spirit of cricket”, it added.
ISLAMABAD, February 9, 2026.
The Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shehbaz Sharif has been formally briefed by the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, concerning the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, representatives of…
— Authorities of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 9, 2026
‘Good for cricket’
Former India cricketer Madan Lal informed AFP at this time that it was “good for cricket”. “We would like robust groups to play in order that the appeal of the World Cup will not be misplaced,” he added.
Sri Lanka, who will host the match which generates multi-millions of {dollars} in promoting, broadcast rights, sponsorship and tourism, additionally praised the choice.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a social media put up, thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for “making certain the sport all of us love goes on”.
Veteran Indian journalist Pradeep Journal informed AFP “good sense has prevailed on all sides”. Monetary issues would have been taken under consideration, he added.
“Everybody realised that shedding the income from an India-Pakistan match would have been a loss-loss state of affairs for all ICC member nations,” he stated.
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The 20-team event has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up.
Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing safety considerations, have been changed by Scotland. As a protest, Pakistan ordered the group to not face co-hosts India within the Group A fixture.
Pakistan, who edged out Netherlands within the event opener on Saturday, would have conceded two factors if they’d forfeited the match. Pakistan will play all their T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka as a part of an ICC deal that ensures the 2 nations solely meet on impartial territory.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav stated on Friday earlier than their opening win in opposition to the USA that his group would journey to Colombo for the conflict, whether or not the sport was on or not. “We’ve not stated no to taking part in them,” Suryakumar stated. “Our flights are booked and we’re going to Colombo.”
