T20 World Cup 2026 has turned into a big controversy, with cricket now stuck between politics, money and power. At the center of the storm is International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah, who is being accused of unfair dealings with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Ehsan Mani calls Jai Shah for direct talks with Pakistan
Amid the ongoing controversy over T20 World Cup 2026, former ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ehsan Mani believes that the issue cannot be resolved behind closed doors. He wants Jai Shah to go to Pakistan himself and talk directly to the Pakistani government.
Mani wants the ICC chairman to convince Pakistan to abandon its decision to boycott the India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be held in Colombo on February 15. He also believes that Shah, son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, should listen patiently to Pakistan’s concerns instead of ignoring them or handling the matter through others.
Also read: Secret talks between Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan and Jay Shah-led ICC on T20 World Cup controversy leaked
Bangladesh begins T20 World Cup 2026 drama
The T20 World Cup became a political battlefield in the subcontinent and it started with Bangladesh. He refused to travel to India, saying it was not safe. Despite repeated assurances that there was no security threat, Bangladesh stuck to their stand and the ICC removed them from the tournament and brought in Scotland as their replacement.
This decision spread anger in Pakistan. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the interior minister in the Pakistani government, called the move inappropriate. Soon after, the Pakistani government instructed the PCB not to play against India as a sign of support for Bangladesh.
Jay Shah should go to Pakistan to end India’s match boycott: Ehsaan Mani
It is being said that ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja has been asked to help resolve the matter between PCB and ICC. However, Mani does not believe Khawaja is the right person for the position, saying it is a sensitive government-level issue and should only be handled by ICC president Jay Shah through direct talks with Pakistan.
“He should go to Pakistan and convince the government to end the boycott and also listen to their complaints. It would be better if the ICC chairman himself deals with the Pakistan government,” The Dawn quoted Ehsan Mani as saying.
Crores of rupees are at stake due to India vs Pakistan
The situation is becoming serious because a huge amount of money is involved in it. If the India vs Pakistan match does not take place, ICC, BCCI, PCB and other cricket boards may suffer a loss of crores of rupees. Broadcasters and sponsors will also suffer huge losses.
Also read: Sri Lanka Cricket starts war amid T20 World Cup controversy, attacks Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistan
There is also a legal threat for Pakistan. The PCB has already signed the Member Participation Agreement for the World Cup. If Pakistan refuses to play, it could be seen as breaking that agreement and could lead to legal action from the global body and broadcasters.
Ehsaan Mani says Pakistan’s case is “weak”
Ehsan Mani admitted that Pakistan’s case was not strong, as the Jay Shah-led ICC had already scheduled its matches in Sri Lanka under the hybrid model, which was aimed at addressing security concerns. Nevertheless, the former PCB chairman feels that Pakistan can defend its position with a strong legal team.
He said, “There may be some weakness in Pakistan’s case as the ICC has shifted Pakistan’s matches from India to Sri Lanka (under the hybrid model), but a competent legal team can argue this effectively… The boycott of the India-Pakistan match may be a violation of the Members Participation Agreement (signed between the PCB and the ICC), but it is the negative attitude of the BCCI that is responsible for this, which forced Pakistan to take such a big decision.”
