Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, was present in Colombo during the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match. The much-hyped game took place after a long-drawn drama that saw Pakistan making a boycott threat and then taking a U-turn. The drama ended late on February 9, after the Pakistan government allowed its cricket team to take the field against India on February 15. Before the U-turn, Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam Bulbul requested Pakistan to play the match. Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also called Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif.
Sharif later met Dissanayake and called him the “actual hero”.
“First of all, warm greetings from the President of Pakistan (Asif Ali Zardari) and the Prime Minister of Pakistan (Shehbaz Sharif). They specially asked me to convey their greetings to you. Actually, in yesterday’s match, you were the actual hero because 2 billion people were entertained because of you. So, it is only because of you that we played the match,” Mohsin Naqvi told Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in a meeting.
“We were having several issues regarding playing with India, but as soon as the Prime Minister received your call, he called me up and said, ‘There is no more issue… we have to play the match. That’s it.’ I am very thankful to you that you played a very critical role in this.”
PCB 🇵🇰 Chairman Moshin Naqvi says it’s because of you ( Sri Lankan President) the India Pakistan match happened as scheduled. #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/46kBMXEJiD
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) February 16, 2026
India secured a dominant 61-run victory over Pakistan on Sunday, marking the team’s third straight win in the tournament. India’s victory was built on a superb 77-run knock from Ishan Kishan, who once again proved his value at the top of the order.