The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) took official action on Tuesday, claiming that Pakistan had decided to change its previous position and accept playing arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup 2026. The long-awaited game is to take place on February 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla was pleased at the development and attributed the same to the International Cricket Council (ICC), which conducted the dialogue and came up with what he termed as a settlement that was mutually agreeable. The move was made by Pakistan a bit later on Monday night, when the government said that the national team would be going to the field against India after days of speculation.
This U-turn was after the ICC confirmed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was not to be sanctioned due to refusing to travel to India to play in the 20-team tournament. The assurance was reported to have been instrumental in allaying the fears that were expressed by Pakistan and Bangladesh in the high-level consultations with the ICC.
On Sunday, a two-man delegation of ICC engaged in a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCB president Aminul Islam in the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. In the meeting, a number of demands were made before the ICC. It was reported that after the apex body was convinced that Bangladesh would not lose the hosting rights of one ICC event prior to 2031, and it would not be penalised, the Pakistan government granted the participation.
Addressing the reporters on the morning of Tuesday, Shukla was content with the result. I am happy to find the outcome of the consultations provided by the ICC representatives, with the guidance of the ICC Chairman. An effective solution has been arrived at that is good and friendly, which has focused on the significance of cricket, he said.
So far, the BCCI has stated that it would accept the decision that the ICC made. Pakistan will play a role, and so planning of one of the largest fixtures of the tournament is now to shift to the next level.
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