ISLAMABAD – Pakistan will play India in their scheduled February 15 match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after the government approved participation following consultations with cricket authorities and friendly nations, the government said on Monday.

In a statement, the Government of Pakistan said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been formally briefed by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the outcomes of high-level deliberations involving the International Cricket Council and the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

The government said it had reviewed formal requests from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, along with supportive communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and other member nations, which sought Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges surrounding the tournament.

“The government has taken note of the statement by BCB President Aminul Islam, and the profound gratitude expressed by our brotherly nation is received with great warmth,” the statement said, adding that Pakistan “stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh”.

The decision follows days of uncertainty after PCB chairman Naqvi said the board was awaiting a response from the ICC before taking a final call on whether to face India, one of the most commercially significant fixtures in world cricket. Naqvi had said any decision would be taken after consulting the prime minister.

Earlier, the ICC, PCB and BCB said they had concluded an open and constructive dialogue covering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia. Under that understanding, the ICC confirmed there would be no financial, sporting or administrative sanctions on Bangladesh following its absence from the tournament and agreed that the country would host an ICC event between 2028 and 2031.

On Monday evening, the Pakistani government said the prime minister had also spoken by telephone with Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who urged an amicable resolution to the impasse, recalling the long-standing ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the requests of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan national cricket team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the statement said.

The Pakistan–India clash is expected to be one of the centrepieces of the tournament, drawing massive global audiences and carrying major sporting and commercial significance for the international game.