Prime minister briefed by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi on fraught ICC and Bangladesh talks, as Pakistan weighs diplomatic, sporting and political consequences of regional cricket negotiations
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: In light of the outcomes of multilateral consultations, and following requests from friendly countries, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Pakistan national cricket team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was formally briefed by the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Naqvi, on the outcome of high-level discussions involving the PCB, the International Cricket Council and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The briefing was held after yesterday’s meeting between ICC and PCB while BCB was also the participant.
The government reviewed formal requests submitted to the PCB by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, along with supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and other member nations. These communications sought Pakistan’s leadership in finding a workable solution to the challenges that had emerged in recent days.
The government also took note of a statement by the BCB president, Amin ul Islam. The gratitude expressed by Bangladesh was received warmly. Pakistan reaffirmed that it stood shoulder to shoulder with the neighboring country.
Later in the evening, the prime minister held a telephone conversation with the president of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During what was described as a warm and friendly exchange, both leaders recalled that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had consistently supported each other, particularly in difficult times. The Sri Lankan president requested the prime minister to give serious consideration to resolving the current impasse in an amicable manner.
The decision, the government said, was taken to uphold the spirit of cricket and to ensure the continuity of the global sport across all participating nations. The prime minister and the people of Pakistan extended their best wishes to the Men in Green. They expressed confidence that the team would reflect sportsmanship and national pride as it competes on the world stage.
