The much-anticipated India–Pakistan encounter in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, is set to take place as originally planned, according to informed sources.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appears to have eased its earlier position after Pakistan’s government initially supported a boycott of the Group A fixture. That decision was reportedly influenced by Pakistan’s stance in support of Bangladesh, who were dropped from the tournament after declining to travel to India for their matches.

The shift follows a high-level meeting in Lahore involving officials from the PCB, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and the International Cricket Council (ICC). While an informal resolution seems to have been reached, the PCB has not yet made an official public announcement.

Reports from Pakistan suggest that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has indicated ongoing discussions with the ICC and said a final decision will only be made after consulting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Naqvi is expected to brief the Prime Minister on the latest developments later this week.

During negotiations, the PCB reportedly submitted several proposals to the ICC. However, some of the most significant requests — including restarting bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan, launching a tri-nation series involving India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and securing assurances about India’s 2026 tour of Bangladesh — were rejected by the ICC.

Speaking to reporters, Naqvi declined to confirm that the board had reversed its earlier stance, stating that discussions remain ongoing. He reiterated that Pakistan’s earlier reaction was rooted in solidarity with Bangladesh and said official updates would be shared once clarity is received from the ICC and the BCB.

Earlier, an ICC delegation led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja met with PCB and BCB leadership in Lahore to address the growing dispute. Pakistani media reported that talks were extensive and that a compromise framework had been drafted, with further coordination expected shortly.

The controversy began after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the tournament following the ICC’s rejection of Bangladesh’s request to host all its matches outside India. The situation escalated amid political sensitivities involving regional concerns and player-related decisions.

Despite the diplomatic tension, the blockbuster India–Pakistan showdown now appears likely to proceed, pending a formal confirmation from the PCB.