India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Match to Go Ahead as Scheduled After ICC Intervention: Rajeev Shukla
New Delhi: BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday praised the International Cricket Council for finding what he described as an “amicable solution” that ensured the high-profile India-Pakistan match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be played as scheduled.
His remarks came after the Pakistan government reversed its earlier decision to boycott the fixture and allowed the men’s cricket team to face India national cricket team in the tournament. The much-anticipated clash will now take place on February 15 in Colombo.
Shukla said the outcome was the result of detailed deliberations initiated by ICC representatives under the supervision of the ICC chairman. He added that delegations had travelled to Lahore to hold discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
He said the ICC’s intervention helped restore focus on the importance of cricket and ensured that the scheduled match would go ahead without further disruption. According to Shukla, bringing Pakistan back to the table and confirming its participation in the Colombo fixture was a significant achievement for the global governing body.
Shukla also highlighted that the concerns of Bangladesh were addressed during the negotiations. Following discussions, the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed that Bangladesh will not face any penalties for its absence from the tournament. The board has also been assured of the opportunity to host an ICC event before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2031, subject to standard hosting procedures.
He said the Bangladesh board has expressed satisfaction with the outcome and praised the ICC for its efforts, calling the resolution a win-win situation for all parties involved.
Shukla concluded that the confirmation of the India-Pakistan match has strengthened the prospects of the tournament’s success and said the development was positive news for players, fans, and the sport as a whole.
Our Thoughts
The ICC’s role in resolving the uncertainty surrounding the India-Pakistan fixture underlines the delicate balance between sport and geopolitics in international cricket. Ensuring the match goes ahead not only preserves the competitive integrity of the T20 World Cup but also safeguards its commercial and global appeal. While such issues may resurface in the future, the episode shows that sustained dialogue and mediation remain essential for keeping the game at the centre of major tournaments.