Pakistan will take the field against India on February 15 in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally approved the match following consultations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

In a statement shared on X, the government confirmed that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had briefed the prime minister on outcomes of high-level discussions involving the International Cricket Council (ICC), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and other friendly nations.

The decision, the statement said, was guided by the need to "protect the spirit of cricket" and maintain continuity in the global sport. It noted that Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations had requested Pakistan to resolve the impasse.

The BCB expressed gratitude for Pakistan's support, while Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urged the prime minister to consider the fixture, recalling Pakistan's past solidarity with Sri Lankan cricket during difficult times.

Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed the sentiments, highlighting the long-standing brotherly ties between the two nations and recalling Sri Lanka's recent tour of Pakistan as a "memorable gesture for the nation and fans."

The decision came as the ICC confirmed that no penalties or sanctions would be imposed on Bangladesh in relation to its non-participation in the T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

In a joint statement with the PCB and BCB, the governing body noted that Bangladesh remains a valued full member with a rich cricketing history and a vital role in global cricket development.

ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta emphasised that the absence of Bangladesh "does not alter the ICC's enduring commitment to the nation as a core cricketing ecosystem" and highlighted that Bangladesh will host an ICC event before the 2031 Men's Cricket World Cup, reflecting confidence in its capacity as a host.

The statement further stressed that ongoing dialogue, cooperation, and constructive engagement between all stakeholders aim to "protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity," while ensuring the sport continues to flourish in South Asia and beyond.

Pakistan's T20 campaign began on a victorious note against the Netherlands on February 7, and the Men in Green are now preparing for their second match against the USA on February 11, before the marquee tournament clash against India on February 15.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar hailed the prime minister's decision as "great" and praised PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's diplomacy, while media reports confirmed India had accepted Pakistan's preconditions for the fixture.

Naqvi, speaking informally with journalists earlier, reiterated that Pakistan had consistently supported Bangladesh, emphasising that the decision to play the mega event reflects solidarity rather than self-interest.

Fans nationwide are eagerly anticipating the clash, confident that Pakistan's team will showcase sportsmanship, national pride, and resilience on the field as they compete for global glory in one of cricket's most-watched tournaments.

The T20 World Cup 2026, featuring 20 teams divided into four groups, began on Saturday. Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside the Netherlands, India, the USA, and Namibia, and is set to play all its matches in Sri Lanka.

Originally, Bangladesh was included in the tournament but requested the ICC to shift their matches from India to Sri Lanka after their star player, Mustafizur Rehman, was released from the Indian Premier League by organisers following objections from ruling party activists.

The ICC declined the request and replaced them with Scotland when Bangladesh refused to play in India for security reasons. Pakistan supported Bangladesh and protested the ICC decision. Subsequently, Pakistan had initially decided that the team would not play India in the tournament, creating uncertainty around the fixture.

The announcement by the government sparked intense discussions with the ICC, which continued engagements with PCB leadership to resolve the deadlock. The ICC tasked its Deputy Chairman, Imran Khawaja, to persuade Pakistan to reconsider.

On Sunday, Khawaja and BCB President Aminul Islam visited Lahore and held marathon talks with Naqvi at the PCB headquarters at Gaddafi Stadium. Also present were HBL Pakistan Super League Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer and PCB Adviser Amir Mir.

During the meeting, Khawaja reportedly urged PCB to reconsider, stressing that Pakistan should participate in the match for the sake of the sport. The BCB president thanked Pakistan for supporting Bangladesh's stance.

After deliberations, Khawaja was set to brief the ICC on the proceedings, and in light of his report, the ICC would inform the PCB of its response. The PCB confirmed that Naqvi would brief the prime minister, who would make the final decision on playing the India match.

The joint statement said all stakeholders acknowledge that the spirit of this understanding is to protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity. "Our focus continues to be on working closely with key stakeholders," said ICC Chief Executive Gupta.