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Pakistan Boycott Lifted: India vs. Pakistan Cricket Match On!
10 Feb
Summary
- Pakistan government ends boycott, allowing India vs. Pakistan match.
- Match viewership expected to reach 325 million globally.
- Diplomatic tensions impacted the tournament scheduling.
The Pakistan government has lifted its boycott, ensuring the India versus Pakistan Cricket World Cup match will proceed as planned. This move, intended to protect the spirit of cricket, follows discussions between the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board, and Bangladesh Cricket Board. The fixture is anticipated to draw around 325 million viewers, significantly surpassing the viewership of major sporting events like the Super Bowl.
This decision resolves uncertainty that arose when Pakistan initially announced a boycott in solidarity with Bangladesh, who withdrew from the tournament. The ICC confirmed Bangladesh will face no penalties and will host an ICC event before 2031. Matches between India and Pakistan are infrequent due to political hostility, with no bilateral series and limited encounters outside major tournaments since 2013.
The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, has been affected by diplomatic tensions. The India-Pakistan match is financially crucial, projected to generate $250 million in revenue for the ICC, at a time when media rights negotiations are sensitive. Both teams are in Group A, having secured victories in their opening matches.
