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India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match could still happen after cricket officials meet
'Only compensation for Bangladesh can pave the way for an India–Pakistan match,' said a veteran Pakistani journalist
- PUBLISHED: Mon 9 Feb 2026, 7:28 PM UPDATED: Mon 9 Feb 2026, 9:18 PM
The India–Pakistan T20 World Cup impasse could soon be broken, with fans potentially having a cricket match to look forward to on February 15 in Colombo.
Following the Pakistan government’s announcement to boycott the match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh, representatives from the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board met in Lahore on Sunday night.
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Details of the meeting have not been officially disclosed, but according to media reports in both India and Pakistan, the ICC has made progress in getting the marquee clash between the two South Asian rivals back on track.
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However, according to Indian media reports, Pakistan has placed several conditions before the ICC, including a demand that Bangladesh receive a share of the World Cup revenues after being removed from the tournament for refusing to play in India over security concerns.
The PCB has also reportedly demanded the resumption of bilateral cricket ties with India, as well as the launch of a tri-series featuring India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The ICC is said to have rejected these demands.
Veteran Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir, however, dismissed the Indian media reports.
“Don’t spread disinformation. There is no pressure. The ICC president is sending messengers to the PCB and begging them to review the decision,” Mir wrote on X.
“Pakistan is waiting for some compensation and relief for Bangladesh. Only compensation for Bangladesh can pave the way for an India–Pakistan match.”
Amid rising geopolitical tensions in South Asia, the media in both India and Pakistan have entered an intense battle of narratives over the high-profile T20 World Cup clash between the two rivals.
Pakistani journalist Sanaullah Khan has called it a “propaganda war” between Indian and Pakistani media.
“Sadly, when this happens, it is the fans who suffer because they are waiting for verified news,” Khan told India Today on Monday.
“Many Indian media houses are claiming that Pakistan are now scared of ICC sanctions and will make a U-turn on their decision. At the same time, several Pakistani outlets are also guilty of suggesting that the ICC and the BCCI are pleading with the PCB because they fear huge financial losses for broadcasters and advertisers.
“But as far as Pakistan is concerned, if they decide to play now, it will not be a U-turn because they have always maintained that they wanted to help Bangladesh get justice. If the ICC compensates Bangladesh, then what’s the problem for Pakistan to play the match against India?”
Pakistan had accused the ICC of double standards after the governing body rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh were unwilling to play in India due to security concerns.
Last year, the ICC moved India’s Champions Trophy matches to Dubai after the Indian government refused to send its team to Pakistan — the host nation — over similar security concerns.
Pakistan has argued that the ICC should have followed the same rulebook for Bangladesh and decided to boycott the India match as a mark of protest.
Any India–Pakistan clash on the world stage reportedly generates close to $400 million, making it one of the biggest money-spinners in global sport. A boycott would leave official broadcasters and advertisers in complete disarray.
If the ICC agrees to meet some of the PCB’s demands — including compensation for Bangladesh for missing the World Cup — Pakistan could yet take the field against India on February 15.
However, the final decision rests with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Rituraj Borkakoty is Sports Editor and has spent more than two decades writing on his sporting heroes. He also loves an underdog story, so if you have one, share it with him. He would love to bring it to life.
