In a significant development ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Animul Islam is set to travel to Colombo on February 15. His destination: the R. Premadasa Stadium, where he will witness the highly anticipated India-Pakistan showdown.
Islam shared details in an interview with Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, revealing that the International Cricket Council (ICC) extended a special invitation for the event. This gathering will bring together representatives from Asia’s top five cricket powerhouses—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka—for the match and crucial discussions.
“The ICC has decided that on February 15, during the India-Pakistan World Cup match, officials from these five major Asian cricket boards will be present together at the venue, enjoy the game, and engage in conversations,” Islam explained.
This high-profile attendance comes amid recent tensions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and BCB. The rift stemmed from the release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, sparking disagreements. BCB then requested the ICC to shift some matches from India to Sri Lanka, a plea that was denied, leading to Scotland replacing Bangladesh in a multi-nation tournament.
Positive shifts followed, particularly after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) threatened to boycott a match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh. Diplomatic talks ensued, with ICC opting not to penalize Bangladesh for schedule non-compliance. Pakistan agreed to play India, smoothing relations.
Further goodwill includes Bangladesh hosting an ICC event between 2028 and 2031, possibly the 2028 Men’s Under-19 World Cup. To cement these assurances, BCB plans a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). “We’ll have a line-by-line agreement, like an MoU document, to eliminate any uncertainty,” Islam affirmed.
He noted a similar precedent during the Asian Cricket Council’s annual meeting in Dhaka, ensuring no backtracking. As cricket diplomacy unfolds, this India-Pak fixture promises not just thrilling action but a platform for regional unity.