Tensions thaw in cricket’s hottest rivalry: PCB confirms participation against India in Colombo on February 15 for the 2026 T20 World Cup, ditching boycott plans after ICC bridge-building. This sets the stage for another chapter in the storied India-Pakistan saga.
Sourav Ganguly, from his Kolkata base, applauded the shift. ‘Pakistan playing India? Excellent. Politics has no place in games,’ he remarked to the press. On prospects, he was candid: ‘Matches between us are always intense. India’s team is outstanding—Pakistan hasn’t kept pace recently. They’ll need peak performance to stand a chance.’
Rajeev Shukla of BCCI hailed ICC’s role: ‘Big thanks to ICC for sorting this and putting cricket ahead. A win for the sport, ensuring T20 WC 2026 thrives.’
The chain of events: Bangladesh’s security-driven pullout saw Scotland step in. Pakistan boycotted in support. ICC’s Lahore visit to Gaddafi Stadium with Naqvi and Islam yielded agreements—no Bangladesh sanctions, future event hosting. Pakistan government relented soon after.
With Ganguly flagging India’s edge, anticipation surges. This fixture’s magnetic pull guarantees global viewership, proving once more why Indo-Pak cricket transcends borders.