India-Pakistan match to go ahead: government reverses decision
The T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan will take place on Sunday in Sri Lanka, after the Pakistani government reversed its decision to boycott the game.
The Pakistan vs India T20 World Cup match will go ahead on Sunday in Sri Lanka. The game was earlier in doubt after the Pakistan government advised its team not to take the field.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government's decision was made in solidarity with Bangladesh, which had refused to play in India.
However, after talks with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the Pakistan government ordered its team to take the field.
The ICC called for all necessary measures to be taken to ensure the game goes ahead, and said Bangladesh would not be sanctioned for its boycott.
Sri Lankan President also spoke to the Pakistani PM and urged him not to boycott the game, citing the country's interest in the revenue and spectators the match would bring.
The game is significant, as its cancellation could have impacted ICC's current legal agreements, which smaller cricketing nations rely on for funding.
The India-Pakistan match is one of the biggest and most lucrative in cricket.
Both teams won their opening games, with Pakistan set to face the USA on Tuesday and India to play Namibia on Thursday.