BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has hailed the resolution of the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash as a “huge achievement” for the sport, confirming that the high-voltage clash will go ahead as planned on February 15 in Colombo.

Addressing reporters on Tuesday, Shukla expressed relief after the successful mediation by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Lahore. “I am happy to see the outcome of the deliberations initiated by the ICC representative, overseen by the ICC president,” Shukla said. “It is a good and friendly solution that has been found to prioritize the importance of cricket.”

The breakthrough comes after the Pakistan government reversed its decision on Monday night, ordering the national team to “take the field” for the marquee match at the R Premadasa Stadium. The reversal ended a week of intense uncertainty that had overshadowed the opening days of the tournament.

Shukla credited the governing body for its proactive role in bringing all parties to the table: “All kudos to the ICC for taking this initiative, resolving the issue and bringing cricket back to the fore. This is a major achievement for the ICC. I would like to thank the ICC for bringing Pakistan to the table and ultimately deciding that Pakistan should play the match in Colombo.”

The dispute had its roots in a complex chain of events that began when Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in Group C. Tensions were further heightened by security concerns and the controversial withdrawal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.

To resolve the impasse, the ICC facilitated a settlement that addressed several key complaints:

• No penalties: The ICC confirmed that no sanction would be imposed on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for their refusal to travel to India.
• Hosting rights: Reports indicate that an agreement was reached for Bangladesh to host a future ICC event before 2031.
• Diplomatic Persuasion: The decision was further strengthened by the diplomatic communication from the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif.

Shukla stressed that the resolution serves the interests of all stakeholders, including fans and the commercial viability of the tournament.

“It’s good news for all of us… Now this World Cup will be a big success story,” added Shukla. “Bangladesh’s sentiments have also calmed down, and their board has been given some relief. It’s a win-win situation for everyone, and I’m glad the match is taking place.”

With the administrative hurdles cleared, the focus is now back on the pitch. Pakistan, who already secured a three-wicket win against the Netherlands in their opening match, will face the USA on February 10 before their historic encounter with defending champions India on Sunday.