‘Good sense’ hailed as blockbuster Pakistan-India match to go ahead

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s decision to go ahead with their blockbuster Group A match against India at the T20 World Cup on February 15 was hailed on Tuesday as an outbreak of “good sense” and “good for cricket”.

Islamabad late on Monday night ended a week-long stand-off by rescinding its order for the cricket team to boycott the match in Colombo.

The biggest and most lucrative clash in world cricket was revived after a frantic weekend of negotiations.

It culminated in International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chiefs flying to Lahore on Sunday for talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The governments of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both wrote to Pakistan on Monday, urging it to change its stance and allow the game to go ahead, and just before midnight, they got their wish.

After “multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15”, read a statement issued by the government on late Monday night. The decision had been taken with the aim of “protecting the spirit of cricket”, it added.

Former India cricketer Madan Lal told AFP on Tuesday: “Pakistan did shake up the ICC by repeatedly saying they would not play. “Eventually, the ICC had to send officials to Pakistan to sort out the issue” and that was “good for cricket”. “We want strong teams to play so that the charm of the World Cup is not lost,” he added. Monitoring Desk