• BCCI VP terms talks’ outcome “win-win situation for everybody”.
• Rajeev Shukla thanks ICC for efforts bringing together all parties.
• Senior Indian official expresses optimism for successful World Cup.

Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla has hailed the outcome of the talks between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over the T20 World Cup 2026.

“I am delighted to see the outcome of the deliberations [in Lahore],” Shukla said while speaking to the Indian media on Tuesday.

His remarks refer to Islamabad’s announcement of allowing the Green Shirts to play their scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo. 

Pakistan had earlier decided not to play against arch-rival India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were kicked out of the tournament after it refused to travel to India, citing security concerns.

After Pakistan’s announcement, the ICC’s deputy chairman travelled to Lahore on Sunday to discuss the situation with the PCB chief in a meeting attended by the BCB president.

However, in a statement on Monday, the government said that the decision to field the national side against India in the tournament was made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after being briefed by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, the ICC and the BCB.

The decision, Islamabad has stressed, was taken to protect the spirit of cricket and support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations.

Expanding on the development, BCCI VP Shukla termed it a “win-win situation for everybody” and thanked the ICC for its collaborative efforts to bring all the parties together.

“The ICC took steps to resolve the issue, and cricket has returned to the forefront. As far as the ICC is concerned, this is a major success.”

“The scheduling of the match on 15 February is good news,” he remarked.

The BCCI official underscored the positive outcomes for all stakeholders involved, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, and expressed optimism for a successful World Cup.

“Pakistan will play, and this World Cup will become an example of success. It is also good for Bangladesh, as their board was also given relief during the negotiations. The BCB is happy [….] The match will take place, and the World Cup will be a successful event,” Shukla added.

Pakistan will face South Africa in a three-match women’s T20I series, commencing today (Tuesday). This is Pakistan Women’s first tour of South Africa for a bilateral series since 2021, according to a PCB statement.

The T20Is will be staged on February 10, 13 and 16, with matches scheduled to start at 9pm Pakistan time.

Pakistan’s 15-member squad is captained by Fatima Sana, while Laura Wolvaardt will lead the home side.

In the build-up to the series, Pakistan held a week-long pre-series camp in Karachi, which included practice sessions and scenario-based matches.

The squad features two uncapped players for Pakistan, with pacer Humna Bilal and batter Saira Jabeen braced for their T20I debuts.

The series provides both sides with an opportunity to finalise preparations for the 12-team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, set to take place from June 12 to July 5 in England and Wales.

In head-to-head, in 24 T20I matches, South Africa have an upper hand against Pakistan, but Pakistan had swept the series by three-nil against South Africa when the two sides met in Karachi in 2023.

For Pakistan, in the current squad, in the batting department, Aliya Riaz has featured in 15 T20Is against South Africa, scoring 321 runs at a strike rate of 122.98.

In the bowling unit, left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has played six matches, claiming 10 wickets at an economy rate of 6.66.

15-member squad:

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wicket-keeper), Humna Bilal, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.

Tour itinerary

1st T20I – Feb 10 — JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (day/night)

2nd T20I – Feb 13 – Willowmoore Park, Benoni (day/night)

3rd T20I – Feb 16 – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (day/night)

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Syed Mohsin Naqvi has said that neither he fears anybody nor Field Marshal Asim Munir. He has said that guests are always given respect. “When guests are at your home, you have to forget lots of things,” he added.

Mohsin Naqvi said the highest dignitaries of friendly countries also contacted us on this matter.

Earlier, International Cricket Council (ICC), in a statement, had said that it, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had concluded an open, constructive and congenial dialogue.

This dialogue covered several matters, including but not limited to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia.

While reflecting on Bangladesh cricket team’s unfortunate absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the global governing body for cricket reaffirmed BCB’s position as a valued Full Member, with a proud cricketing history and a vital role in the growth of the global game.

The ICC also reiterated its continued facilitation of growth in one of cricket’s most vibrant markets, with more than 200 million passionate fans to ensure that the national team’s non-participation in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup does not have any long-term effects on Cricket in the country.

The highlights of the dialogue set out below reflect a forward-looking alignment reached in good faith and are intended to provide clarity on the current position of the stakeholders.

They do not alter, qualify or detract from the ICC’s constitutional autonomy, governance framework or established decision-making processes, all of which remain fully applicable.

It is agreed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter.

It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact.

The ICC’s approach is guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflects the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment.

As part of this understanding, an agreement has been reached that Bangladesh will host an ICC event prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2031, subject to the usual ICC hosting processes, timelines and operational requirements.

This reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s capability as a host and reinforces the ICC’s commitment to providing meaningful hosting opportunities across its membership to develop cricket in the country.

The ICC, PCB and BCB, along with other Members, remain committed to continued dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement in the best interests of the sport.

All stakeholders acknowledge that the spirit of this understanding is to protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity.

ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said “Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter the ICC’s enduring commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation.

Our focus continues to be on working closely with key stakeholders including BCB to ensure the sport grows sustainably in the country and that future opportunities for its players and fans are strengthened.

Bangladesh remains a priority cricket ecosystem deserving of long-term investment in its development, competitiveness and global integration, and is not defined by short-term disruptions.”