Pakistan U-Turn: No Boycott of India Match

Pakistan's cricket team has decided not to boycott their ICC Men's T20 World Cup match against India on February 15. Initially, the team had threatened to boycott the match following Bangladesh's withdrawal from the tournament.

Bangladesh were withdrawn from the tournament after they refused to tour India. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had hinted that the team might pull out of the tournament.

The Pakistani government has now approved the February 15 match and ordered the team to play. A government statement read: "Taking into account the results of multilateral negotiations and at the request of friendly countries, the government of Pakistan has decided to go ahead with the February 15 match."

The decision was taken to protect the spirit of cricket and to support the continuity of the global sport in all participating countries. If Pakistan had refused to play, they would not have been awarded a point for the group stage match.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav had confirmed his team's travel to Colombo. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Md Aminul Islam had urged Pakistan to play the match.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup matches are being broadcast live on Sky Sports.