In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash on February 15 in Colombo, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made a sensational claim. After weeks of threatening a boycott, Naqvi now states that Pakistan’s stance was never about India, but rather a “fight for Bangladesh’s dignity.”

Speaking to the press in Lahore, Naqvi clarified that the Pakistan Cricket Board had no personal issues playing against India. “Our only focus was the Bangladesh issue. We wanted to ensure that the injustice done to them was rectified. Once the ICC agreed to Bangladesh’s demands, we had no further reason to protest. We did this for the sake of our neighboring country and their respect in world cricket,” Naqvi remarked.

This sudden shift in narrative comes after the ICC’s high-level meeting where several of Pakistan’s original demands—including a bilateral series and a tri-nation tournament—were reportedly sidelined. Experts believe that after failing to secure significant concessions for themselves, the PCB is now attempting to use “Bangladesh’s interests” as a diplomatic shield to save face. Meanwhile, the ICC has confirmed that Bangladesh will host a future major event and will face no penalties regarding World Cup participation. As the cricket world gears up for the high-octane encounter, Naqvi’s “altruistic” claims have certainly added a new layer of intrigue to the rivalry.