The Pakistan government has decided not to allow the national team to play group-stage matches against India during the T20 World Cup 2026. Following Pakistan’s decision, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is exploring back-channel options to defuse the situation and avoid financial losses.
On Sunday, the Pakistan government confirmed that the team led by Salman Ali Aga will participate in the ICC tournament, but will boycott the match against India. Both India and Pakistan are part of Group A in the T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
All the matches of Pakistan are to be played in Sri Lanka. The India-Pakistan match was scheduled to be held on February 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium, but now the competition will be boycotted.
Back-channel talks underway after Pakistan’s decision not to play in T20 World Cup with India
According to Hindustan Times, Pakistan Cricket Board and International Cricket Council have held back-channel talks. These discussions began when the ICC asked the PCB to find a solution that protects all stakeholders.
“There have been some backchannel talks between the PCB and the ICC,” an official with knowledge of the matter told HT.
The ICC did not say how the negotiations took place or whether anyone acted as a mediator. The uncertainty regarding the India-Pakistan match has created concern in the cricket body.
“The ICC hopes the PCB will find a mutually acceptable solution that protects the interests of all stakeholders,” the statement said.
Boards like England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) have expressed their displeasure over the PCB’s decision. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has not discussed this matter with the PCB.
ICC may still seek resolution as future of India-Pakistan match uncertain
There are less than two weeks left for the scheduled match between India and Pakistan, so a solution is still a possibility. If no agreement is reached, a scenario could emerge where India travels to Colombo, Pakistan does not and Pakistan loses its league points.
The ICC may call a meeting of member boards to collectively respond to the PCB’s decision. Notably, the PCB has not even formally informed the ICC that the move was ordered by the government. However, the board may still face sanctions, and the issue could have serious consequences.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told reporters on Monday, “The ICC has issued a big statement, they have talked about the spirit of the game. We completely agree with the ICC. Until we talk to the ICC, the BCCI will not comment on it.”
If India-Pakistan match is boycotted then PCB is responsible for the defeat!
Earlier, the Bangladesh Cricket Board had said that it would play the World Cup only if the matches are shifted out of India. After the BCB refused to change its position, the ICC removed Bangladesh from the tournament and replaced it with Scotland.
The financial impact of a possible boycott of the India-Pakistan match is still being assessed. If the PCB does not change its stance, the ICC is expected to hold it responsible for any losses. No fixed price was set for individual matches during the ICC media rights bidding.
However, for the 2024-27 cycle, the ICC secured a deal worth $3 billion from the Indian market. If the T20 World Cup is valued at around $750 million, industry estimates suggest that the India-Pakistan match alone could be worth closer to $100 million.
Apart from the two semi-finals and the final, India’s matches receive the highest viewership, while Pakistan’s matches continue to deliver big returns. The PCB is seen as using this commercial importance as leverage, with politics also playing a role.
Also read: ₹ 4,500 crore revenue at risk due to Pakistan not participating in the match against India in T20 World Cup 2026
