Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against India will go ahead as scheduled after the Pakistan government lifted its boycott order.
The fixture, the most lucrative in world cricket, had been in doubt since Pakistan advised its team not to play last week, a move Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says was taken to support Bangladesh, after its request to relocate matches out of India was rejected and it withdrew from the tournament.
Following a week-long stand-off and talks involving the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the government directed the team to take the field.
Officials say the decision was made to protect the spirit of cricket and ensure the continuity of the global game.
The match will be played in Sri Lanka under a neutral-venue agreement signed last year.
Had it not gone ahead, concerns were raised about disputes over ICC commercial rights and future broadcast deals, with smaller cricketing nations likely to be the most affected.
The ICC says all members have agreed to honour their commitments to ensure the ongoing Men’s T20 World Cup is a success.
Bangladesh will not face sanctions and has been confirmed as a host of an ICC event between 2028 and 2031.
Bangladesh had earlier urged Pakistan to play the match for the good of the wider cricket ecosystem, following talks in Lahore. Sri Lanka also requested Pakistan’s participation.
India and Pakistan will face each other on Monday at 1.30am.
Meanwhile, Pakistan face the United States in Colombo tomorrow, while India play Namibia in Delhi on Friday.
