T20 World Cup 2026: Bangladesh requests Pakistan to play against India; Has PCB decided on U-turn?

New Delhi: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam said on Monday that during his meeting with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi in ​​Lahore, he requested Pakistan to reverse its decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. Pakistan had decided to boycott the match to show solidarity with Bangladesh. Bangladesh was excluded from the World Cup and replaced by Scotland after refusing to play in India due to security concerns.

Islam said in a statement, "We are grateful to Pakistan for standing with Bangladesh at this time. May this brotherhood continue." He added, "Following my brief visit to Pakistan yesterday and our discussions, I would request Pakistan to play the T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem." Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Naqvi said on Monday that a final decision would be taken in the next 24 hours. According to sources, Naqvi had requested Islam to make a formal appeal to Pakistan.

Did Sharif receive a call from Kumara?

The official said, "Naqvi contacted Bulbul and requested him to appeal to Pakistan to play the match against India as this is the only respectable way to resolve this dispute." Media reports in Pakistan said that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also received a call from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who urged him to reverse the boycott decision. Geo News reported that Sharif assured him that the Pakistani team would play against India.

Did Naqvi acknowledge the talks?

Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi, while acknowledging the talks with the ICC along with Aminul Islam, said at a press conference in Lahore that the PCB is awaiting responses from the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board on certain issues. According to sources, Naqvi will brief Shahbaz Sharif on the recent developments regarding this issue and will request him to withdraw the decision to boycott after the request from the Bangladesh Cricket Board.