Pakistan-India Boycott Drama: How It Was Resolved
Pakistan initially planned to boycott their T20 World Cup match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh, but a last-minute deal ensured the match goes ahead.
The biggest off-field drama of the T20 World Cup has been resolved. Pakistan will face India on February 15 in Colombo as scheduled, ending a tense ten-day standoff.
What Happened
Bangladesh were removed from the tournament after refusing to travel to India over political tensions and security concerns. The ICC voted 14-2 to replace them with Scotland rather than relocate their matches to Sri Lanka.
Pakistan's government then announced a boycott of the India match in solidarity with Bangladesh, with PM Shehbaz Sharif stating they should "completely stand by Bangladesh."
The Resolution
After negotiations, the ICC agreed to:
- No penalties for Bangladesh — no sporting, financial, or administrative punishment
- Bangladesh guaranteed hosting rights for an ICC event before the 2031 ODI World Cup
- The Pakistan-India match moved to a neutral venue in Colombo
What's Next
The February 15 clash in Colombo is now the most anticipated match of the group stage. Both teams have won their opening fixtures and a win here could seal a Super 8 spot.