With just six days to go for the high-voltage India vs Pakistan Group A clash at the T20 World Cup 2026, uncertainty continues to surround whether the match will go ahead as scheduled on February 15.
The Pakistan government has directed that the men’s team will not take the field at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, meaning Pakistan’s participation would now require Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reverse the original decision.
ICC steps in to resolve impasse
Given the stakes involved, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has intensified efforts to persuade the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its stance. On Sunday, an ICC delegation comprising Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja and Associate Members’ representative Mubashir Usmani arrived in Lahore for talks with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
The delegation was also joined by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam, who travelled to Lahore via Karachi. Islam met Naqvi separately after Pakistan announced it would boycott the India game in solidarity with Bangladesh, following the latter’s replacement by Scotland in Group C.
PCB’s demands from the ICC
The meeting between Naqvi, Islam and the ICC officials took place late Sunday night at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. According to earlier reports by Hindustan Times, Naqvi raised concerns over incidents from the Asia Cup, including Indian players allegedly refusing to shake hands with Pakistan players, and sought ICC intervention to prevent such situations in future India–Pakistan encounters.
Other reports claimed that the PCB chief also demanded a larger share of the ICC’s revenue generated from India–Pakistan matches. Additionally, Naqvi urged the ICC to play a role in reviving bilateral cricket between the two countries, which has been suspended for the past 13 years. The last bilateral series was played in 2012, when Pakistan won the ODI series 2–1 and the T20I series ended in a 1–1 draw.
What Bangladesh asked for
According to Telecom Asia Sport, the Bangladesh Cricket Board also placed demands before the ICC. BCB president Aminul Islam reportedly sought financial compensation and hosting rights for an ICC tournament, with the 2028 Under-19 Asia Cup being the preferred option.
The meeting reportedly lasted close to an hour, but there was no official briefing afterward, as the PCB declined to address the media outside the Gaddafi Stadium. Naqvi is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday to discuss the way forward, with an official announcement expected only if the government grants approval.
A Dawn report stated that ICC officials informed the BCB president that compensation was not possible, but assured Bangladesh of receiving its full share of ICC revenues.
Emirates and Sri Lanka boards weigh in
After Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) also urged the PCB to reconsider its decision, warning of significant financial losses for all stakeholders if the boycott goes ahead. The ECB reportedly reminded Pakistan of the support it extended during challenging periods and called for reciprocity.
Earlier, SLC had echoed similar sentiments, recalling the 2009 Lahore attack and highlighting how Sri Lanka was the first major team to tour Pakistan when international cricket gradually returned.
PCB’s earlier move and ICC response
Last week, the PCB formally approached the ICC, invoking the Force Majeure clause. However, the ICC rejected the claim, stating that the clause was not applicable as the match was scheduled at a neutral venue and Pakistan were already playing the rest of their matches in Sri Lanka. The ICC also warned the PCB of possible sanctions if the team failed to show up for the fixture, triggering the current round of negotiations.
So far, the ICC has not issued any fresh official statement. The apex body last commented on the issue on February 1, hours after a post from the official Government of Pakistan social media handle, urging Pakistan to reconsider its decision and reflect on the long-term consequences.
