PM Shehbaz Sharif Approves Pakistan vs India T20 World Cup Clash in Colombo

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given the final approval for Pakistan’s national cricket team to take on arch-rivals India in their highly anticipated Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The marquee fixture is scheduled for February 15, 2026 at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This decision ends weeks of speculation about a possible boycott and ensures one of international cricket’s greatest rivalries will go ahead as planned.

An official statement from the Government of Pakistan reads:
“In light of extensive multilateral consultations and requests from friendly nations, the Government of Pakistan directs the national cricket team to participate in the scheduled match against India on February 15, 2026, in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”

The green signal followed direct appeals from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a telephone conversation with PM Sharif, as well as strong representations from the Bangladesh Cricket Board. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was closely involved in the final deliberations.

Prime Minister Sharif expressed full confidence in the team’s preparations and wished the players the very best for what is expected to be a blockbuster encounter. Cricket fans across the globe are now counting down to what promises to be an electric contest between Pakistan and India.