‘It is nice that the sport is again on, we form of by no means modified the preparation,’ says India assistant coach
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 staff in Colombo after Islamabad U-turned and 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 staff to boycott the February 15 match.
“It is nice that the sport is again on, we form of by no means modified the preparation,” stated India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
India will face a second Group A match towards 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.
“We’re delighted to have one other likelihood to play towards a top quality aspect within the first section of the match.
“We’re totally centered on simply bringing our greatest recreation to that fixture.”
Pakistan’s determination to go forward with the match was hailed right this moment as an outbreak of “good sense” and “good for cricket”.
Learn Extra: ‘Good sense’ hailed as blockbuster Pakistan-India match to go forward
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 alter its stance and permit the sport to go forward.
After “multilateral discussions, in addition to the request of pleasant international locations, the Authorities of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan Nationwide Cricket Workforce to take the sector on February 15”, the authorities stated on its official X account late on Monday night time.
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, relating to the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, representatives of…
— Authorities of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 9, 2026
The choice had been taken with the intention of “defending the spirit of cricket”, it added.
‘Good for cricket’
Former India cricketer Madan Lal advised AFP right this moment that it was “good for cricket”.
“We would like robust groups to play in order that the attraction of the World Cup isn’t 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.
Additionally Learn: ICC to transient on consequence of talks with PCB over Pakistan–India T20 World Cup row
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a social media publish, thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for “making certain the sport all of us love goes on”.
Veteran Indian journalist Pradeep Journal advised AFP “good sense has prevailed on all sides”.
Monetary concerns would have been taken into consideration, he added.
“Everybody realised that shedding the income from an India-Pakistan match would have been a loss-loss scenario for all ICC member nations.”
The 20-team match has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up.
Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing safety considerations, had been changed by Scotland.
As a protest, Pakistan ordered the staff to not face co-hosts India within the Group A fixture.
Pakistan, who edged out Netherlands within the match 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 towards the US that his staff would journey to Colombo for the conflict, whether or not the sport was on or not.
“We have not stated no to enjoying them,” Suryakumar stated. “Our flights are booked and we’re going to Colombo.”
