Pakistan have confirmed they will play India in Colombo on 15 February, ending a week-long stand-off with the ICC. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi insists the threat to boycott was never about gaining leverage for Pakistan, but about helping Bangladesh restore what he calls basic “respect”.
Last Friday the Pakistani government said its men’s side would not take the field against India at the T20 World Cup. The order came after Bangladesh had been replaced in the tournament by Scotland, a switch rubber-stamped by an ICC Board vote once Dhaka refused permission for its players to travel to India on security grounds.
Behind the scenes, the PCB, Bangladesh Cricket Board and ICC spent the weekend trading calls and draft statements. Late on Monday Islamabad dropped the boycott. Soon afterwards the ICC confirmed Bangladesh would face no sanction for missing matches in India and, in addition, would be awarded hosting rights for a men’s event between 2028 and 2031.
Speaking in Peshawar on Tuesday, Naqvi set out Pakistan’s reasoning. “We didn’t keep any condition [in our negotiations] other than Bangladesh,” he said. “Our only aim was to get Bangladesh some respect, to right the injustice that had been done to them.”
The PCB chief had already accused the ICC of “double standards” when the original vote went against Bangladesh, arguing that the board had moved too quickly to expel a Full Member. “You’ve seen whatever Bangladesh wanted, it’s been accepted and that’s it,” Naqvi added. “We had no personal aim in this. They can say whatever they want but purely, our work was only related to Bangladesh. That is what the government took a decision on. And when their demands were accepted and it was acknowledged that they suffered an injustice, then we have decided to play again.”
Urooj Mumtaz, the former Pakistan captain and now commentator, believes the clarity will help Babar Azam’s side settle. “India game go-ahead will give Pakistan players a lot of clarity,” she said, noting that uncertainty over fixtures tends to seep into training plans and selection meetings.
For Bangladesh, the outcome represents a diplomatic win of sorts. They remain out of this World Cup, yet avoid disciplinary action and secure a future ICC event at home – tangible recognition, Naqvi argues, that the original decision was harsh.
The focus can now swing back to cricket. Pakistan have five days to switch from boardrooms to nets, while India quietly welcome the removal of another off-field distraction.
