BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday welcomed the International Cricket Council’s intervention that helped resolve the standoff surrounding the India–Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Shukla was reacting to Pakistan’s decision to reverse its earlier stance and agree to play arch-rivals India in the marquee tournament. The much-anticipated match is scheduled for February 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Pakistan’s change in position came a day after the International Cricket Council confirmed that no punitive action would be taken against the Bangladesh Cricket Board for not travelling to India during the tournament. The ICC also assured Bangladesh of hosting rights for an upcoming ICC event before 2031, a move that helped ease tensions among the stakeholders.
The breakthrough followed a high-level meeting in Lahore on Sunday, where a two-member ICC delegation held talks with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCB president Aminul Islam at the Gaddafi Stadium. Several demands were placed before the ICC during the discussions, paving the way for a negotiated settlement.
Speaking to reporters, Shukla praised the ICC for its leadership and role in bringing all parties to the table.
“I am delighted to see the outcome of the deliberations initiated by the ICC representatives. A good and amicable solution has been found that prioritises the importance of cricket,” Shukla said.
“All credit goes to the ICC for resolving the issue and ensuring that cricket remains at the forefront. This is a major achievement, and I thank the ICC for facilitating Pakistan’s decision to play the match in Colombo.”
Shukla further expressed confidence that the clearance of the India–Pakistan fixture would ensure the overall success of the tournament.
“The scheduled match on February 15 will now take place, and Pakistan will participate. With this, the T20 World Cup 2026 will become a success story. Bangladesh’s concerns have also been addressed, making this a win-win situation for everyone involved,” he added.
The T20 World Cup began on February 7, with the opening match between Pakistan and the Netherlands, but the event had been overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding the India–Pakistan encounter.
Pakistan had initially refused to play India in solidarity with Bangladesh after the latter was replaced by Scotland in Group C. Bangladesh had earlier requested its matches be shifted to Sri Lanka citing security concerns. However, the situation was further complicated by pacer Mustafizur Rahman being withdrawn from the Indian Premier League amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.
With all parties now in agreement, the focus returns to cricket as anticipation builds for one of the biggest matches of the T20 World Cup 2026.
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