Pakistan is still in talks to play against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup, following meetings between two senior International Cricket Council (ICC) officials and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in Lahore. Reports from The Times of India indicate that these discussions have brought promising news for the upcoming Group A match planned for February 15 in Colombo.
ICC officials Imran Khawaja and Mubashir Usmani visited Lahore on Sunday to meet with PCB representatives, hoping to clarify the situation after Pakistan hinted at a potential boycott of the match.
This dialogue follows earlier communications between the ICC and PCB after the Pakistan government advised the team against playing India. However, the government has permitted participation in the rest of the tournament. The ICC has requested clarification on whether the ‘Force Majeure’ clause could be appropriately used to justify not playing, given the PCB cited government advice without much explanation.
In return, the ICC has asked what actions were taken to address this issue in line with tournament regulations.
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Government Position and Financial Implications
Pakistan’s decision to possibly boycott the India match relates to its support for Bangladesh, which was removed from the tournament after it declined to travel to India due to security concerns. The ICC accepted a security assessment declaring no significant threat, but Bangladesh missed the deadline to participate and was replaced by Scotland. Pakistan still remains in the tournament and is scheduled to begin play in Colombo and Pallekele, starting with a match against the Netherlands on February 7.
The India-Pakistan match is crucial for the ICC, representing significant commercial value. Concerns over its potential cancellation have alarmed host boards. Sri Lanka Cricket has warned the PCB that not participating would lead to considerable financial losses and harm the tournament’s reputation in Sri Lanka. Tickets for the match have already sold out, heightening the stakes for everyone involved.
Bangladesh Cricket Board Steps In
In response to the ongoing situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has re-engaged in discussions, even after being officially excluded from the tournament. BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul traveled to Lahore to meet PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and other top officials. The focus of this meeting was to ease tensions around Pakistan’s proposed boycott and seek a united front before further discussions with the ICC.
The issue arose after Bangladesh’s refusal to tour India, a decision that Naqvi called “unjust” and “politically motivated.” While the ICC emphasizes communication, the overall situation remains unsettled, with clearer outcomes expected as boards, governments, and the governing body consult in the days leading up to February 15.
