Is the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Match Still Happening?

Yes. After nearly ten days of uncertainty, the marquee India vs Pakistan clash at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will go ahead as scheduled on February 15 in Colombo.

The standoff began when the Pakistan Cricket Board indicated it would boycott the group-stage fixture against India, citing "double standards" after Bangladesh were removed from the tournament for refusing to play matches in India.

The proposed boycott was unprecedented in ICC events and immediately raised alarms, given the match's enormous sporting and commercial value.

What changed in Pakistan's India boycott?

Behind-the-scenes negotiations intensified over the past week, involving the International Cricket Council, the PCB, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Other ICC member nations, notably Sri Lanka and the UAE, urged

Pakistan to reconsider, warning of the financial fallout for host boards if the fixture was cancelled.

Crucially, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also entered the conversation, speaking directly with Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Late Monday evening, Pakistan's government issued a directive instructing its national team to take the field. "The Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026. with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket," the statement said.

What did the ICC say about India-Pakistan T20?

The ICC confirmed that talks had been successful, stressing that all members had agreed to honour their participation commitments and ensure the tournament's smooth conduct. Notably, the ICC also announced that no penalty would be imposed on Bangladesh, a key sticking point for Pakistan, and later granted the BCB additional hosting rights in a future ICC cycle.

Were there other demands?

Reports suggested the PCB raised issues such as a fairer ICC revenue-sharing model during discussions, though neither the ICC nor Pakistan's government addressed this publicly. The PCB has also denied that resumption of bilateral cricket with India was a formal condition.

What happens now?

With the boycott officially called off, India and Pakistan will meet in Colombo as planned. The episode underscores how geopolitics, finances, and governance intersect at global tournaments and how close the sport came to losing its biggest fixture before last-minute diplomacy prevailed.