Lahore: In a dramatic twist to the ongoing cricket saga, Pakistan has finally greenlit its participation in the much-anticipated India versus Pakistan clash at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who doubles as the country’s interior minister, stirred controversy by invoking Army Chief General Asim Munir during a heated press conference, asserting that neither he, the government, nor Munir “ever fears” threats from India or the ICC.
This bold declaration comes after weeks of uncertainty, with initial calls for a boycott led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Naqvi himself. A government post on X on February 1 had outright declared no match would happen, citing security concerns. However, following intense negotiations with an ICC delegation, Sharif relented, paving the way for the showdown.
Analysts view Naqvi’s reference to the military leader as a strategic move to escalate the sporting rivalry into a broader national narrative, blending civil and military undertones. The high-voltage encounter is set for February 15 at 7 pm IST in Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka, where both teams share Group A.
India kicked off their campaign strongly, defeating the USA by 29 runs in their opener. On February 7, Pakistan narrowly defeated the Netherlands by three wickets in a thrilling match. As tensions simmer off the field, fans worldwide brace for what promises to be an electrifying battle on the pitch.