A PCB source informed PTI that the ICC has offered certain concessions to the board, enabling them to lift the boycott of the India match. Full details will be released after the T20 World Cup 2026 concludes.
“The concessions provided to the PCB by the ICC for ending the boycott will only be shared after the T20 World Cup,” the source stated on Tuesday.
The ICC has confirmed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board will not face any penalties and will be assigned an ICC event in the 2028-2031 cycle, likely the U19 Men’s World Cup.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the national team intended to boycott the T20 World Cup group match against India in Colombo on February 15, in support of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, which had opted not to play in India due to security issues. However, Pakistan reconsidered after discussions between the ICC and PCB head Mohsin Naqvi.
While the ICC confirmed on Monday that Bangladesh would not face sanctions, it remained quiet on any benefits for the PCB.
“The call from President Anura Kumara Dissinayake was crucial in ending the boycott, along with briefings from key government and establishment figures monitoring the situation,” another source reported.
There are indications that Naqvi is striving to increase the PCB’s share in ICC revenues, though this would only be possible in the next financial cycle.
“The ICC has agreed with Naqvi that no further details about discussions with the PCB, Bangladesh Cricket Board, and other boards will be made public,” a source added.
Naqvi emphasized that there is no valid reason for Pakistan and India to avoid home and away matches in the ICC World Test Championship at neutral venues, a practice already observed in other ICC white-ball tournaments.
However, it is important to note that the WTC final is the only official ICC event, while all other series are bilateral.
