The controversy regarding India vs Pakistan, the biggest match of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, is now over. Pakistan has confirmed that it will play the match against India in Colombo on 15 February. After this, Sri Lankan President Anur Kumar Dissanayake has written a letter of thanks to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

This match was in danger for some time, when Pakistan indicated its refusal to play it. Pakistan said that it will not play the match against India in support of Bangladesh. Bangladesh was thrown out of the tournament due to security reasons, after which Pakistan protested.

Thank you Prime Minister @CMShehbaz for ensuring the game we all love goes on. Delighted that the eagerly awaited India and Pakistan match at the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup in Colombo will proceed as planned.

As co-host of the tournament, Sri Lanka thanks the @ICC and all…

— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) February 9, 2026

Long meeting between PCB, BCB and ICC

However, a long meeting was held on Monday between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and International Cricket Council (ICC) on this issue. This meeting lasted for about five hours. After talks, Pakistan changed its decision and agreed to play the match. After this decision of Pakistan, the President of Sri Lanka expressed happiness by posting on social media platform X. He wrote that he is very happy that the favorite India-Pakistan match of cricket lovers will take place on time.

He thanked Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and said that this is a right decision to take cricket forward. President Dissanayake also said that Sri Lanka has not forgotten the solidarity shown towards India and Pakistan during the 1996 World Cup. Despite security concerns at that time, both the teams played matches in Colombo.

Grand match in Colombo

Many countries played a role behind this decision. Shahbaz Sharif said that this decision was taken after the request of friendly countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and UAE and talks with ICC. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had also informed the Prime Minister about the results of the meeting. The India-Pakistan match is considered to be the most important and highest-grossing match of the tournament. ICC and Sri Lanka did not want this match to be cancelled. Now there is a wave of happiness among the cricket fans due to Pakistan’s decision and this great match will be played on 15th February in Colombo at the scheduled time.