India-Pakistan clash back on after boycott ends

The high-stakes match between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup is back on after the Pakistani government on Monday directed its national cricket team to play India.

The announcement ends a week-long boycott that had threatened one of the highlight events at the tournament, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The decision came after a phone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Pakistan’s government said in a statement posted on X.

The talks involved the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the statement said, with the decision taken to protect “the spirit of cricket.”

The T20 World Cup match is scheduled for February 15 in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

Pakistan would have forfeited two points if they had skipped the match against India, potentially risking their chances of advancing in the tournament.

The 20-team T20 World Cup began on February 7 and ends on March 8.

Why did Pakistan boycott the match against India?

Bangladesh refused to play in India and withdrew from the tournament over concerns about the “safety and well-being” of players, amid heightened political tensions between the South Asian neighbors.

Dismissing its security concerns, the ICC replaced the Bangladesh team with Scotland.

As a protest, Pakistan refused to face India in their group match, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi criticizing the ICC’s “double standards” and “injustice.”

“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period,” BCB president Mohammad Aminul Islam said in a statement. 

The ICC said on Monday that it would not impose any penalty on Bangladesh ​for ​their refusal to play in India, and announced that Bangladesh would host an event prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2031.

India vs Pakistan: A marquee fixture

Pakistan’s change of heart came after intensive weekend negotiations, including visits to Lahore by ICC and BCB officials. The Pakistan government noted in its statement that the PCB was formally asked by ICC members, including Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates to end the boycott.

An India-Pakistan clash is among cricket’s most lucrative events, generating millions of dollars in broadcast and sponsorship revenue. A cancellation would have threatened TV rights deals and ICC funding.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav said on Friday his team was ready to play as scheduled, while Pakistan captain Salman Agha said last week the team would follow government advice.

“The India game is not in our control. It was the government’s decision,” Agha said.

In September, controversy erupted after the Indian team won the Asia Cup with a victory over archrival Pakistan, but the Indian players refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister.

India’s grip over cricket globally tightened after the appointment of Jay Shah, son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, as chairman of the ICC.

Edited by: Karl Sexton