PCB chief to seek PM’s guidance on ICC request for Pakistan-India T20 World Cup match

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam thanks Pakistan for supporting Bangladesh stance against India

Published: 02:12 PM, 8 Feb, 2026
Sports, Cricket
PCB chief to seek PM’s guidance on ICC request for Pakistan-India T20 World Cup match

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has decided to approach the Prime Minister once again regarding the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) request for Pakistan to play a match against India in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, sources said.

According to officials familiar with the matter, Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within the next one or two days to seek clear instructions on how to respond to the ICC’s request.

Sources said the ICC has been actively trying to persuade Pakistan to take part in a Pakistan-India fixture during the tournament. However, the final decision on the matter will rest with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Earlier, on the directives of the Pakistani government, the PCB had decided to participate in the T20 World Cup while not playing a match against India.

The issue has resurfaced amid renewed efforts by the ICC to ensure high-profile encounters in the tournament, with Pakistan maintaining that any decision will be taken in line with government policy.

A meeting between the International Cricket Council (ICC) led by deputy chair Imran Khawaja and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials, led by its chief Mohsin Naqvi held a detailed discussion in Lahore.

The meeting lasted for the last three hours at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam was also attending the meeting.  

According to sources, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi explained the reasons for not playing the match against India to the ICC delegation. Despite Bangladesh being eliminated from the World Cup, there will be a condition of providing full financial support. The condition will be to host ICC events to compensate Bangladesh.

India will be prevented from tampering with the game. A condition will be imposed to prevent the gentleman from spoiling the game. A condition will be imposed to increase the share of income from the Pak-India match. There are also conditions for other issues, including the restoration of the bilateral series. If the ICC agrees to the conditions, the PCB will decide to play the match after consulting the Prime Minister.

Earlier, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam called on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore to discuss the situation regarding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

During the meeting, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President thanked Pakistan for supporting Bangladesh's stance against India. PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer and Advisor to Chairman PCB Aamir Mir were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, International Cricket Council (ICC) Deputy Chair Imran Khawaja landed in Lahore. Confirming Khawaja’s arrival in a post on X, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the guest will hold a meeting with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The ICC official was greeted by Amir Mir, an adviser to the PCB chief, at the Lahore airport. According to an earlier PCB press release, the BCB president will also meet with Naqvi.

Islam was welcomed at the airport by Pakistan Super League (PSL) CEO Salman Naseer — also an adviser to the PCB chairman — and other officials. The high-level visits come a day after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup commenced.

Earlier, AFP reported on Saturday that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board to resolve the boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India on February 15.

Any clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is one of the most lucrative in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsor and advertising revenue. But the fixture was thrown into doubt after Pakistan's government ordered the team not to play the match in Colombo.

The Pakistan Cricket Board reached out to the ICC after a formal communication from the cricket's world body, a source close to the developments told AFP. The ICC was seeking a resolution through dialogue and not confrontation, the source added.

The 20-team tournament has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up after Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing security concerns, were replaced by Scotland.

As a protest, Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A fixture. Pakistan, who edged out Netherlands in the tournament opener on Saturday, will lose two points if they forfeit the match and also suffer a significant blow to their net run rate.

Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments.

Any clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrative in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue.

It was reported earlier this week that ICC had initiated back-channel efforts to resolve the issue and avoid significant financial losses. Sri Lanka’s cricket board asked Pakistan to reconsider the decision to boycott the match with India.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) told the PCB that a boycott would result in a financial hit and also hurt the island’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the 2022 economic meltdown.

Pakistan, who edged out the Netherlands in the tournament opener on Saturday, will lose two points if they forfeit the match and also suffer a significant blow to their net run rate. Skipper Salman Agha has stated that if Pakistan were to face India in a semi-final or final, they would again consult the government.

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