New Delhi: Pakistani cricket fans think the BCCI can’t survive without their cricket team and that the ICC’s revenue model would also collapse if there was no PCB. The Pakistan government, a week after deciding to boycott the ICC T20 match against India, made a U-turn Monday; it will now play the 15 February fixture.
“Pakistan is not optional for world cricket. Without Pakistan, the ICC’s revenue model simply doesn’t hold up. The truth is out: ICC revenue, and the BCCI’s survival within it, depends heavily on Pakistan,” wrote a user, Shfqt, on X.
Another said, “This shows how important Pakistan is for world cricket. Everyone tried to convince them, and the BCCI was begging, so Pakistan decided to play against India. A good decision”.
The much-awaited India-Pakistan match is set to be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 15. Pakistan’s decision followed persuasion from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka during multilateral discussions, which helped break the impasse. The Pakistan government later released an official press statement announcing the withdrawal of the boycott.
‘Pakistan shows sportsmanship’
Several fans contrasted Pakistan’s decision with the Indian team’s refusal to shake hands during the India-Pakistan clash at the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai last September.
“Pakistan once again proves that leadership, diplomacy, and respect for the spirit of cricket come first. While others create noise, Pakistan builds solutions, stands by its friends, and protects the global game with maturity and responsibility. Proud to see our nation supporting Bangladesh and standing united with true cricketing partners. The Men in Green will step onto the field not just to compete, but to represent resilience, unity, and national pride. Let the cricket speak louder than politics,” Asim Khalil Derkhwasti wrote on X.
The decision to call off the boycott came after a delegation from the International Cricket Council held meetings with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding the team’s participation in the match against India.
In a post on X, the government stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was formally briefed by Naqvi on the outcomes of high-level deliberations between the PCB, representatives of the ICC, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
“The Government of Pakistan has reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the BCB, as well as supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations. These correspondences sought Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges,” the post read.
The post also mentioned that Shehbaz Sharif received a phone call earlier in the day from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, following which the decision was made to ‘protect the spirit of the sport’.
“This decision has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket and supporting the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations,” the government said.
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‘Bridging the divide’
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, in a post on X, thanked Shehbaz Sharif for considering Sri Lanka’s request to proceed with its T20 clash against India and for reversing the earlier decision. Cricketers from Pakistan and around the world also praised the move.
“The spirit of cricket has prevailed. Cricket wins, which means it will continue to play its pivotal role in bridging even the widest of divides,” said former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi.
However, Indian cricket commentator and journalist Harsha Bhogle said that Pakistan was always expected to play the match.
“Pakistan were always going to play. It was clear as daylight. Withdrawal was never even a possibility,” Bhogle wrote on X.
Pakistani fans have already begun cheering for the ‘Men in Green’, calling the fixture historic.
“Pakistan will beat India now,” wrote a user on X.
“India is now prepared to lose; on February 15, Pakistan will rule,” wrote Usama Munir.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)