PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi reveals the reason why Pakistan took a U-turn on their boycott drama

On Tuesday, February 10, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi stated that the nation’s decision to boycott their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 game against India was aimed solely at securing respect for Bangladesh.

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Notably, Bangladesh pulled out of the competition, citing security concerns in India. Earlier on Sunday, February 1, the Pakistan government had decided to send the national team for the mega event, but added that the team wouldn’t make it to the field for the game against India to support the BCB.

However, after successful negotiations between the ICC, PCB, and BCB, the apex body confirmed that the game between India and Pakistan would go ahead as per the schedule on Sunday, February 15, in Colombo.

"We did not discuss anything apart from Bangladesh; our only purpose was to get Bangladesh respect, to highlight the injustice done to them. And you saw that whatever demands Bangladesh made, they were accepted. That's it," Naqvi told the reporters.

"We had no personal interest in the meeting ... our task was purely related to Bangladesh. The government made the decision on that (basis). When their demands have been accepted, and it has been acknowledged that injustice was done to them, we are playing after that," he added.

On Sunday, February 8, the PCB Chief met the BCB President Aminul Islam and ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja in Lahore to resolve the country’s stand over Pakistan's proposed boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India.

"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 Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup," the Pakistan government stated in a press release on Monday.

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"...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 statement from the Pakistan government added.

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