Pakistan set to play India after T20 World Cup backflip
Pakistan have opened their T20 World Cup campaign with back-to-back victories, following up a win over the United States with a narrow defeat of the Netherlands, and will now face India after the government ended a political boycott of the match.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the national team to play India in Colombo on February 15, ending a week-long standoff that threatened to disrupt the tournament. Sharif said the decision was taken to protect the spirit of cricket after multilateral discussions and appeals from friendly nations.
“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan national team to take the field against India,” Sharif said on X.
“Moreover, this decision has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket, and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations,” the prime minister added.
Pakistan’s reversal followed intense weekend negotiations involving the International Cricket Council and regional boards. Officials warned a forfeit would have cost Pakistan two points and jeopardised their chances of reaching the knockout stage.
T20 World Cup officials will be buoyed by Pakistan’s decision to play India, with the beginning of the tournament falling flat, with one-sided fixtures and predictable outcomes
Pakistan are paying around 11.00 to win the tournament with online betting sites, with hosts India favourite, though the field remains wide open. There are not yet odds for the India-Pakistan clash which is scheduled for Colombo on Sunday night, local time.
India–Pakistan clashes are among cricket’s most commercially valuable fixtures.
