T20 WC: Pakistan Greenlights India Match After Policy U-Turn

India, Feb 10 : Pakistan has reversed its earlier decision and directed the national men’s cricket team to participate in the high-voltage ICC Men’s T20 World Cup fixture against India on February 15, easing fears of a major disruption to the tournament.

The government had previously advised the team to skip the match in a show of solidarity with Bangladesh, which was removed from the tournament after the ICC rejected its request to shift games from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns. Scotland was later named as Bangladesh’s replacement.

However, following strong signals from the ICC and diplomatic outreach from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the team’s participation. Officials said the decision was taken after reviewing formal requests from multiple cricket boards and friendly nations urging Pakistan to help resolve the impasse.

In an official statement, the government emphasised its continued support for Bangladesh while highlighting the importance of multilateral cooperation in overcoming the dispute. It also referenced a recent conversation between Sharif and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during which both leaders stressed longstanding ties and the need for an amicable solution.

The standoff traces back to early February, when Pakistan initially cleared the squad for the World Cup but barred it from facing India in Colombo. The move threatened to overshadow one of cricket’s most anticipated rivalries before the policy shift brought clarity to the schedule.

Pakistan’s team is currently in Sri Lanka and is set to play its second Group A encounter against the United States, with attention now turning to the much-awaited clash against India.