"In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request 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," said the Government of Pakistan in a statement.

It is official. Pakistan have reversed their boycott decision. They will now go ahead with their scheduled T20 World Cup 2026 match against India on February 15. A statement has been released by the Pakistan government.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have just confirmed that it has concluded an open and constructive dialogue with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (PCB). Following this, it has been agreed that Bangladesh will receive no penalty over non-participation in the T20 World Cup 2026.

Furthermore, the ICC has stated that Bangladesh will be given the hosting rights to an ICC event prior to the 2031 World Cup.

With the match between India and Pakistan in Colombo all set to happen again, sources have informed NDTV that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has had a discussion with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have just released an official statement requesting Pakistan to play India in their T20 World Cup February 15 match "for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem".

"Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem," said BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul.

"We have had discussions with them (ICC). It would not be right for me to make any comments right now. Once we get their response, we will decide. We will go back to the PM (Shehbaz Sharif) for advice once the ICC replies," Naqvi told reporters on Monday.

NDTV has learnt from sources that the T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan is ON. However, no official statement has come yet with the ICC still in negotiations with Bangladesh.

After missing out on hosting the U19 Women's T20 World Cup last year, and now being replaced from the Men's T20 World Cup 2026, the PCB lobbied for Bangladesh to be allowed to entirely host a different global tournament, according to sources. The ICC are seemingly considering an U19 World Cup.

According to sources, one of Pakistan's demands to the ICC was intervention regarding bilaterals between India and Pakistan in the future. The two nations have not played any bilateral series since 2012-13.

However, the ICC rejected this request, stating that bilaterals falls outside its mandate, including during the WTC cycle.

While there have been several reports and information coming through regarding Pakistan and Bangladesh's demands to the ICC, no official statement has been made by any body yet. As per Pakistan-based newspaper Dawn, both sides are likely to make an announcement only after approval from the Pakistan government.

"Bangladesh has placed a series of demands. They want the hybrid model agreement to be extended to 2031, so that all of Pakistan's games at the 2031 World Cup are also hosted by Bangladesh," further informs Boria Majumdar, consulting sports editor at NDTV.

"Chance of a match happening is way more than the chances of a match not happening. Pakistan are waiting for an ICC update on which of their demands will be met, only then will a formal statement come," says Boria Majumdar, consulting sports editor at NDTV.

NDTV has learnt from sources that Pakistan and Bangladesh have asked the ICC to extend the hybrid model agreement with India till the 2031 Cricket World Cup. With the 2031 World Cup jointly co-hosted by India and Bangladesh, an extension would signal Pakistan playing all their matches in that edition in Bangladesh, and not in India.

Currently, the hybrid model agreement between India and Pakistan to play each other in neutral venues runs only till 2027.

According to NDTV sources, Pakistan have now received an email from the Emirates Cricket Board, the governing body of the UAE cricket team, asking the PCB to find an "acceptable solution" regarding the matter.

"Pakistan's latest decision of not playing the WCT20 match against India will hurt the game and most member countries, especially the Associates will suffer financially. As a family member we request the PCB to reconsider their decision and find an acceptable solution," the Emirates Cricket Board said in their letter to the PCB.

According to a PTI report, Mohsin Naqvi asked multiple questions to Imran Khawaja, the vice chairman and independent director of the ICC. One of the question was about what happened after the 2025 Asia Cup final.

"He questioned Khawaja if the ICC would have kept quiet if the Pakistan team had refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy at the presentation from any Indian board official," the report quoted a source as saying. 

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to meet PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi today. The sentiment is far more in favour of the India vs Pakistan match going ahead as scheduled on February 15.

A breakthrough on the India vs Pakistan ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match standoff is expected soon after a meeting between the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) took place on Sunday. 

Bangladesh is pushing for the opportunity to host an upcoming ICC tournament to boost its cricket economy and global visibility. The board believes the country now has the facilities and fan support necessary to successfully stage a major international event.

Even though Bangladesh exited early, the board wants the ICC to grant a guaranteed participation fee. They argue that teams invest heavily in preparation and deserve baseline financial security regardless of tournament performance.

Bangladesh is seeking a higher financial share from the ICC to reflect its growing contribution to global cricket. The board argues that enhanced funding is essential for improving infrastructure, talent development, and the national team's competitive standards.

According to sources, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is set to meet with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday to consult him once again before a final decision is reached. This will be their second official meeting in the space of a fortnight, highlighting the gravity of the situation as the February 15 deadline approaches.

According to sources, the PCB placed three demands to break the deadlock during the meeting with ICC officials in Lahore on Sunday: increased compensation for Bangladesh, a participation fee for Bangladesh despite its T20 World Cup ouster, and hosting rights for a future ICC event.

Pakistan is set to backtrack from its stance of boycotting the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, according to NDTV sources. While Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi remained defiant despite the warning from the International Cricket Council (ICC), it has been learned that some board officials are reportedly open to the idea of playing the match. According to sources, ICC officials warned the PCB of the severe consequences of a boycott during a meeting with Naqvi at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

ICC deputy chairman Imran Khawaja's meeting with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has started at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. Naqvi also met with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam Bulbul to break the deadlock on the ongoing controversy.

Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has expressed his astonishment on Pakistan's decision to not play against India.

He said, "Backing out of a World Cup for what. They are playing in Sri Lanka, in any case. I am surprised of Pakistan backing out. In a World Cup, every point is important."

ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja has arrived in Lahore. Amir Mir, PCB chief's advisor, welcomed him at the Lahore Airport ahead of the meeting with Mohsin Naqvi.

According to multiple reports, Pakistan are likely to take a decision regarding their boycott of the India match soon, potentially reversing their decision. Earlier today, it was reported that Pakistan had softened their stance after the ICC informed them of the extent of damages they could face, both financially and otherwise.

According to sources, the meeting between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has begun. It will be interesting to see how Bangladesh's involvement changes anything, given that they are no longer participating in the T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, ICC are also set to send two officials today to continue 'negotiations'.

While we wait for further information regarding the boycott decision, let's recap Pakistan's opening T20 World Cup 2026 clash, against Netherlands on Saturday. Chasing 148, Pakistan had dug a gigantic hole, but they were rescued by a sensational 11-ball 29 by Faheem Ashraf at the death.

According to a report by IANS, sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have hinted that there is a 99 per cent chance of the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match going ahead. This report emerges ahead of a crucial meeting between the PCB and the ICC.

Imran Khawaja and Mubashir Usmani are the two officials sent by the ICC to discuss the matter with the PCB today, according to TOI. The report also states that match between India and Pakistan is likely to go ahead, meaning a reversal in Pakistan's boycott stance.

Former ICC chief Ehsan Mani stated in an interview with RevSportz that sending emissaries would only result in a back-and-forth, and that a conclusive solution can only be reached if Jay Shah and Mohsin Naqvi meet directly.

"Sending an emissary only results in messages being passed back and forth. The chairmen must meet directly," Mani said.

Two ICC officials are heading to Lahore to continue negotiations with the PCB regarding the boycott matter, sources have informed NDTV. They are expected to reach by 4 PM PST (4:30 PM IST). Meanwhile, BCB chief Aminul Islam Bulbul is already in Lahore. 

According to sources, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul is flying to Lahore to attend a crucial meeting with the PCB. It will be interesting to see the details that emerge from the meeting, before further communication proceeds between Pakistan and the ICC.

NDTV has learnt from sources that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are set to meet in Lahore later today. Following their meeting, there is likely to be another round of talks with the ICC.

While suspense continues on whether the match between India and Pakistan will happen at all, both nations got off to victorious but nervy starts to their respective T20 World Cup campaigns on Saturday. Pakistan survived an almighty scare to chase down 29 runs in the last 2 overs and beat Netherlands. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav bailed India out from 77/6 to help them beat USA.

"I feel that as Chairman of the ICC, I would have tried to find a solution. You don't want to throw any member out of the tournament. The PCB has taken a stand, but I would have preferred they refrained from doing so and talked instead," said former ICC chief Ehsan Mani.

Former ICC chief and former PCB chairman Ehsan Mani stated that direct communication should take place between current ICC chairman Jay Shah and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi to resolve the issue.

"The PCB feels strongly that it was unfair or politically motivated. This should have been nipped in the bud; Mr Shah and Mr Naqvi should have spoken directly. I feel the PCB's stance was largely a reaction to feeling ignored," Mani said, in an interview with RevSportz.

In recent days, it has emerged that even Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have written to the PCB to not go ahead with their boycott, given the financial loss at stake. In their letter, Sri Lanka also reminded Pakistan that they were one of the first major nations to tour Pakistan after the 2009 Lahore attacks.

After initially not directly communicating to the ICC a reason behind its boycott, the PCB pressed the 'force majeure' clause, citing the government's social media post on February 1 that instructed them to participate in the T20 World Cup but boycott the India game.

However, the ICC hit back, stating that there was no qualification or justification behind the force majeure.

According to the report, the situation will now be handled in a manner of "dialogue" and not "confrontation". The ICC reportedly want to engage in a structured manner with the PCB to resolve the matter.  

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have softened its stance on boycotting their T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, after learning the potential damages that the International Cricket Council (ICC) could claim from them, according to a report by The Indian Express. This comes after extensive 'back-channel talks' between the PCB and the ICC.

Hello and welcome back to our live coverage of Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2026, 'India Boycott' controversy. Stay tuned with us for all the live updates.