The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in back-channel talks with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to resolve the issue related to Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026. According to reports, the global body is keen to ensure that the group-stage encounter between India and Pakistan goes as per schedule.
India and Pakistan, part of Group A, were scheduled to play in Colombo on February 15. Following government instructions, Pakistan will not participate in the match against India. If the match does not take place, India will get two points, while Pakistan’s net run rate will also be negatively affected along with the loss.
Shehbaz Sharif shares Pakistan’s stance, reacts to ICC boycott decision
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the decision was taken to stand with Bangladesh, who were pulled out of the T20 World Cup after refusing to play matches in India. Scotland replaced Bangladesh in Group C for the T20 World Cup.
PCB has not made any public statement on abandoning the group match against India. After the Pakistan government shared the decision on its X account, the ICC responded by asking the PCB to find a solution that works for all stakeholders.
Namibia, Netherlands and America are also part of Group A. India are the defending champions, while Pakistan were eliminated in the first round of the last T20 World Cup two years ago.
India and Pakistan could still meet in the semi-finals or final if both teams progress from the group and Super Eight stages. The 20-team tournament begins with a triple-header on Saturday, February 7.
ICC officials hold talks with PCB to find solution
According to ESPN Cricinfo, senior ICC officials have held several discussions to find a solution. ICC deputy chairman Imran Khawaja and Emirates Cricket Board official Mubashir Usmani, who is also an ICC board member, are in touch with PSL chief and Naqvi’s senior advisor Mohsin Naqvi and Salman Naseer.
Reports say that talks began about a week before the boycott was announced. During that time, Naqvi had expressed concern about Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup and said that the final decision would depend on the government.
The same week, Naqvi traveled to the United Arab Emirates on a state visit. He took advice from the officials there and also met the Khwaja. Discussions continue even after Khawaja returned to Singapore and Naqvi returned to Pakistan.
PCB responds to ban warning, ICC steps in to resolve dispute
The PCB was earlier informed that Pakistan could face sanctions if it withdrew from the tournament completely. In response, the board said that the matter is not about financial results.
After Bangladesh was thrown out of the competition, Mohsin Naqvi criticized the decision. He accused the ICC of double standards and said that Bangladesh has been treated unfairly.
Since the boycott was announced, the ICC has focused on resolving the PCB’s concerns in order to go ahead with the match. ICC deputy chairman Imran Khawaja has stepped in as mediator, as he has done in other recent issues involving the PCB, BCCI and the ICC.
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