Back On: Pakistan U-Turns on India Boycott After Last-Gasp Deal
The 2026 T20 World Cup's biggest crisis has been sorted. After weeks of political tension, Pakistan has officially reversed its decision to boycott the blockbuster clash against India scheduled for 15 February in Colombo.
The row kicked off when Pakistan threatened to pull out of the match in support of Bangladesh, who withdrew from the tournament over safety concerns. However, after intense mediation by the ICC and diplomatic pressure from regional leaders, a deal was hammered out. The agreement means Bangladesh won't face any financial penalties and guarantees them future hosting rights, whilst Pakistan avoids losing points that would have knocked them out of the World Cup.
This bit of "cricket diplomacy" saves a match worth over £140 million in broadcasting revenue and restores the tournament's most eagerly awaited rivalry. With the politics out of the way, attention can finally turn back to what matters—the cricket at the R. Premadasa Stadium.