The much-anticipated India Vs Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to go ahead, according to sources cited by NDTV, after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) eased its earlier position of boycotting the fixture.

The PCB had previously backed a government decision to stay away from the February 15 Group A match in solidarity with Bangladesh, which was dropped from the tournament after refusing to travel to India for its games. However, as per the sources cited by the NDTV report, the board has now relented following a three-way meeting involving the PCB, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Lahore on Sunday.

Also Read

placeholder

‘Nothing to offer’: ICC ‘rejects’ PCB demands as Pakistan considers India T20 boycott

placeholder

What demands did PCB and BCB put forth to the ICC?

An official announcement from the PCB is still awaited. NDTV reported that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said negotiations with the ICC are ongoing and that a final call will be taken only after consultations with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to the sources, the PCB had placed several demands before the ICC, but some key proposals were rejected by the Jay Shah-led global body. These included the resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral cricket, the launch of an India-Pakistan-Bangladesh tri-series, and assurances regarding India’s tour of Bangladesh in 2026.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Naqvi stopped short of confirming a U-turn by the PCB. “Regarding the Bangladesh issue, at that time, we were not going to let their point of view slide. They are our brothers, and the entire situation was right there in front of you. Things are currently in progress, so I won't say much. I think the ICC and the Bangladesh Board are in a phase where it wouldn't be appropriate for me to comment. I am personally waiting; as soon as any information comes from their side, we will inform you immediately,” he said.

An ICC delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, along with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCB president Aminul Islam, held detailed discussions in Lahore on Sunday to resolve the deadlock over Pakistan’s participation in the February 15 match in Colombo.

Pakistani media outlets cited by NDTV said the talks concluded after prolonged negotiations and that a resolution was likely through mutual consultation, with a roadmap expected to be finalised shortly.

The standoff began after the Pakistan government announced on its official X handle that the national team would not take the field against India. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later linked the boycott to the Bangladesh issue, calling it an expression of solidarity.

Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup after the ICC rejected their request to stage all matches outside India. The request followed the removal of Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Bangladesh’s squad after the BCCI raised concerns amid reports of minority persecution in the country.