ISLAMABAD: Pakistani opener Sahibzada Farhan on Tuesday said that the match against India was on and the team was in a “confident mood” to “give a strong performance,” a day after the government decided to play against the neighbors to protect the spirit of cricket and support the continuity.
Pakistan's decision to go ahead with the match was hailed on Tuesday as "good for cricket." The government late on Monday ended a week-long stand-off by rescinding its order for the cricket team to boycott the February 15 match.
After scoring 73 in the country’s second win of the tournament in Colombo, Farhan said, “The match is on, and we are in a confident mood."
"We will give a strong performance," Farhan said.
Separately, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said it was “great […] the game is back on,” adding that they had never changed the preparation.
India will face a second Group A match against Namibia on Thursday in New Delhi before flying to Sri Lanka.
"It's going to be a challenge going to Colombo," Ten Doeschate said.
"We are delighted to have another chance to play against a quality side in the first phase of the tournament.”
"We are fully focused on just bringing our best game to that fixture."
Pakistan warmed up for the clash in perfect fashion with a second win in Colombo on Tuesday, by 32 runs against the USA.
A frantic weekend of negotiations saw International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chiefs fly to Lahore on Sunday for talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The governments of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both wrote to the Islamabad government on Monday, urging it to change its stance and allow the game to go ahead.
'Spirit of cricket'
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," the Islamabad government said on its official X account 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 that it was "good for cricket.”
"We want strong teams to play so that the charm of the World Cup is not lost," he added.
Sri Lanka, which will host the match that generates multi-millions of dollars in advertising, broadcast rights, sponsorship and tourism, also praised the decision.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a social media post, thanked Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for "ensuring the game we all love goes on."
Veteran Indian journalist Pradeep Magazine told AFP, "good sense has prevailed on all sides."
"Everyone realized that losing the revenue from an India–Pakistan match would have been a loss-loss situation for all ICC member nations."
The 20-team tournament has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up.
Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing security concerns, were replaced by Scotland.
As a protest, the Pakistan government ordered the team not to face co-hosts India in the Group A fixture.
Pakistan, who won against the Netherlands in the tournament opener on Saturday, would have conceded two points if it had forfeited the match.
Pakistan will play all its T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka as part of an International Cricket Council deal that ensures the two nations only meet on neutral territory.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
