Rajeev Shukla Thanks ICC for ‘Amicable Solution’ to Pakistan Impasse
BCCI vice-president says February 15 match will boost global cricket after standoff ends.
New Delhi, Feb 10: BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday commended the International Cricket Council (ICC) for reaching what he described as an “amicable solution” that led Pakistan to withdraw its boycott of the upcoming T20 World Cup match against India.
The much-anticipated fixture, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, will proceed as planned after Pakistan reconsidered its stance following appeals from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
“I would like to thank the ICC chairman Jay Shah and the office bearers for finding a very good solution. After discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and after listening to all sides, this decision has been taken,” Shukla said.
He emphasised that the resolution was significant for the sport, adding that ensuring the tournament continues smoothly is a major achievement for the global governing body. According to Shukla, the ICC balanced competing interests before arriving at the decision, reinforcing the importance of international cricket.
Pakistan’s shift became evident after Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam urged the team to participate for the greater good of the game. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also reportedly requested Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow the team to play.
The development followed a briefing by Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi to Sharif regarding ongoing discussions with the ICC. As part of the resolution, the ICC agreed not to impose penalties on Bangladesh, which had earlier been replaced by Scotland after refusing to play matches in India over security concerns.
Pakistan had initially backed Bangladesh by calling for a boycott, but the latest move clears the path for one of cricket’s most anticipated rivalries to unfold on the World Cup stage.
