Pakistan have ended a proposed boycott for his or her T20 World Cup match towards India and can play as scheduled this Sunday, reside on Sky Sports activities.
Bangladesh had been faraway from this yr’s T20 World Cup after their refusal to tour India because of political tensions and safety issues, with Scotland added as their last-minute replacements.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi warned final month that their nationwide facet might additionally pull out utterly from the event, with the Pakistan authorities initially directing the group to play however boycott their February 15 match towards India.
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Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton focus on at size, on the Sky Sports activities Cricket Podcast, the ‘disaster’ in cricket following boycotts forward of the T20 World Cup
Bangladesh urged Pakistan to end their proposed boycott ‘the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem’, with Pakistan’s authorities confirming on Monday that they’ve reversed the choice and need the match to go forward.
In an announcement, the Pakistan authorities stated: “In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, in addition to the request of pleasant nations, the Authorities of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan Nationwide Cricket Workforce to take the sector on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture within the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup.
“Furthermore, this choice has been taken with the intention of defending the spirit of cricket, and to help the continuity of this world sport in all taking part nations.
“The Prime Minister and the individuals of Pakistan prolong their greatest needs to the ‘Males in Inexperienced’. We stay assured that our group will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and nationwide pleasure onto the sector as they compete for world glory.”
Babar Azam is a part of Pakistan’s World Cup squad
Recreation going forward to ‘guarantee World Cup is a hit’
Pakistan would have forfeited the factors from their group stage match towards India, ought to it not have gone forward. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had already confirmed his facet would journey to Colombo, whatever the preliminary boycott plan.
The choice to initially boycott was made to “help” Bangladesh, though the change in strategy follows conferences between, the ICC, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and PCB in latest days.
Previous to Pakistan confirming they’d play the sport, BCB president Md Aminul Islam stated: “We’re deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and past in supporting Bangladesh throughout this era. Lengthy might our brotherhood flourish.
Bangladesh are lacking from the Males’s T20 World Cup for the primary time
“Following my brief go to to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup recreation on February 15 towards India for the advantage of your complete cricket eco system.”
The Pakistan authorities assertion added: “The profound gratitude expressed by our brotherly nation is obtained with nice heat. Pakistan reaffirms that it stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh.”
Geopolitical tensions imply India’s matches towards Pakistan are performed on impartial floor, whereas a contest not going forward might threaten future income and cash distributed to different ICC nations.
The ICC stated: “It was agreed that every one members will respect their commitments as per the phrases of participation for ICC occasions and do all that’s obligatory to make sure that the continued version of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup is a hit.”
What occurs subsequent for Bangladesh?
The ICC stated they’d not impose any sporting, monetary or administrative penalty on Bangladesh for his or her refusal to play in India. In addition they introduced that Bangladesh would host an ICC occasion previous to the 50-over World Cup of 2031, which is ready to be co-hosted by India and Bangladesh.
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Eoin Morgan takes a take a look at the highest contenders forward of the T20 World Cup, earlier than stating which group he believes is greatest positioned to win the event
ICC chief government Sanjog Gupta stated: “Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, nevertheless it doesn’t alter the ICC’s enduring dedication to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation.
“Our focus continues to be on working carefully with key stakeholders together with BCB to make sure the game grows sustainably within the nation and that future alternatives for its gamers and followers are strengthened.
“Bangladesh stays a precedence cricket ecosystem deserving of long-term funding in its improvement, competitiveness and world integration, and isn’t outlined by short-term disruptions.”
Watch each match of the Males’s T20 World Cup reside on Sky Sports activities till March 8. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.
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