Pakistan Drops First Hint of Rethink on India Boycott: Report
Islamabad indicates possible flexibility on India boycott amid Sri Lanka’s push for regional engagement, according to reports.
Pakistan has signaled a potential shift in its controversial decision to boycott its highly anticipated men’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, after formal appeals from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and ongoing discussions involving cricket’s global governing body. The fixture — scheduled for February 15 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium — has been at the centre of a diplomatic and sporting standoff that has drawn intense international attention.
Pakistan’s original stance, confirmed in early February by the Pakistan government, was to boycott the match as a political statement and in solidarity with Bangladesh following its exclusion from the tournament over venue and security disagreements. Pakistan will still participate in the overall tournament, but its refusal to play India initially appeared firm, prompting criticism from rival boards and fans.
In response, Sri Lanka Cricket — co-host of the 2026 World Cup alongside India — wrote to the Pakistan Cricket Board urging it to reconsider the boycott. SLC warned that withdrawing from the marquee India–Pakistan clash could have significant financial consequences for Sri Lanka’s cricket infrastructure and broader tourism industry, which is still recovering from past economic strain. The board also invoked decades-old cricketing ties and stressed that logistical arrangements, including security and ticketing, were already complete.
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The possibility of a reversal was underscored by reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board is in back-channel discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC), with negotiations led informally by the ICC’s deputy chair to find an acceptable resolution for all stakeholders — including broadcasters and commercial partners concerned about the match’s commercial importance.
Cricket commentators and former players have suggested that Pakistan’s decision is not immutable. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said publicly that a “U-turn” could occur at any time, pointing to the volatile nature of decisions in international cricket diplomacy and the mounting pressure on Pakistan from both sporting and financial perspectives.
Despite these signs of a potential rethink, Pakistan’s prime minister has repeatedly reiterated the government’s initial directive, maintaining that politics should not influence sporting commitments. The coming days are expected to be decisive, as ICC officials, boards and governments seek to preserve one of cricket’s most storied rivalries within the tournament framework.aa
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