NEW DELHI FEB 10 : BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla hailed the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, February 10, for brokering a “very good solution” that led Pakistan to backtrack on its boycott of the high-stakes T20 World Cup match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The dramatic turnaround ensures one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries will light up the global stage, averting a potential crisis for the tournament.
The decision followed intense diplomatic maneuvering involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and regional leaders. Pakistan’s government, initially poised to pull the plug in solidarity with Bangladesh—which had been ousted from the tournament after citing security concerns for refusing to play in India—reversed course after persuasions from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. BCB chief Aminul Islam issued a public plea from Dhaka, urging Pakistan to prioritize the “greater good of the game.” Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake personally called Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with similar appeals.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi briefed Sharif on his ICC discussions, paving the way for the government’s official withdrawal of the boycott call. In a key concession, the ICC opted not to penalize Bangladesh, which had been replaced by Scotland on the roster, smoothing tensions and allowing the event to proceed smoothly.
Speaking to reporters, Shukla, a veteran administrator and Congress leader, expressed gratitude to ICC Chairman Jay Shah and other office-bearers. “I would like to thank the ICC chairman and its office-bearers on behalf of the BCCI for finding a very good solution. After discussions with the PCB and BCB, and after listening to all sides, this decision has been taken,” he said. Shukla underscored the broader implications: “This decision is very important for cricket. Cricket must go on, and the World Cup will now be a big success. This is a big achievement for the ICC. Even the BCB has praised it—they’ve listened to everyone and considered all interests.”
“Ultimately, cricket is most important for everyone; international cricket matters to all,” Shukla added, emphasizing how the resolution safeguards the tournament’s commercial and sporting viability. The India-Pakistan encounter, historically a blockbuster drawing billions in viewership, had been under a cloud due to the boycott threat, rooted in longstanding regional geopolitics and amplified by Bangladesh’s exclusion.
With the match now confirmed at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium, fans worldwide can anticipate the electric atmosphere of this marquee fixture. The episode underscores cricket’s role as a diplomatic bridge in South Asia, even amid political strains, and positions the T20 World Cup for unhindered success.
