ICC, BCB officials hold talks with Naqvi; Governing body urges Pakistan to play India; PCB forwards decision to PM
ICC Vice-Chairman Imran Khawaja and BCB President Aminul Islam shake hands as PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi looks on during a meeting at the PCB headquarters in Lahore. Photo: Express
LAHORE:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will take the final decision on whether Pakistan will play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India after consultations with the Pakistan Cricket Board, following renewed calls from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Sources familiar with the matter said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet the prime minister in the next two days to seek the government’s guidance on Pakistan’s announced boycott of the high-profile Group A clash on February 15 in Colombo.
The sources said that Naqvi will brief Shehbaz about the ICC’s position before giving a formal reply. The development came after ICC vice-chairman Imran Khawaja and BCB president Aminul Islam met Naqvi on Sunday.
A lengthy meeting was held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore involving officials from the PCB, ICC and BCB as cricket authorities stepped up efforts to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its stance.
According to sources, the discussions were conducted in a cordial atmosphere where Pakistan openly presented its reservations and positions through detailed arguments. The ICC delegation formally requested the PCB to review its decision not to play India, stressing the wider interests of the game.
Khawaja urged PCB officials to reconsider and maintained that Pakistan should participate in the match for the sake of sport. During the meeting, he also supported the stand of Pakistan and Bangladesh on certain issues and assured both boards that efforts would be made to address their concerns.
After the discussions, Khawaja is expected to brief the ICC on the matter. In light of his report, the governing body will inform the PCB of its response to Pakistan’s conditions and proposals within a day or two, the sources said.
Naqvi made it clear during the talks that the ultimate decision rests with the government. In the next phase, he will brief Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on all issues discussed, including the ICC appeal and Pakistan’s position.
Khawaja arrived in Lahore earlier in the day and was received at the airport by PCB adviser Amir Mir. Aminul Islam landed separately and was welcomed by HBL Pakistan Super League CEO Salman Naseer.
The PCB said it “welcomes” both visiting officials. Mir and Naseer also attended the meeting at Gaddafi Stadium.
Officials discussed the ongoing situation surrounding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be held in India and Sri Lanka, with special reference to Pakistan and India. During the talks, the BCB president thanked Pakistan for supporting Bangladesh in its dispute with the ICC over tournament-related issues.
Pakistan’s position hardened last week after the federal government announced that while the national team would participate in the World Cup, it would not take the field against India. “The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan gives approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026; however, the Pakistan cricket team will not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15, 2026, against India,” the official statement read.
The ICC previously responded by saying that selective participation was “difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms under the tournament schedule”.
The World Cup, with 20 teams divided into four groups, began on Saturday. Pakistan opened their campaign with a win over the Netherlands in a Group A match on 7 February. The remaining teams in the group are India, USA and Namibia.
Initially, Bangladesh had been included in the slate, but requested the ICC to move their matches from India to Sri Lanka after its star player, Mustafeezur Rehman, was released from the IPL following objections from ruling party activists. The ICC rejected the request and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.
Pakistan took a principled stand in support of Bangladesh and protested the ICC’s decision, a move that further strained relations with the governing body. Sources said Islam and Naqvi also exchanged views on the wider tournament situation and the tensions affecting its schedule.
The clash between Pakistan and India remains the marquee event of the tournament, generating millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue. The ICC continues to work with the PCB management, with Khawaja tasked with persuading Pakistan to reconsider.
The outcome of negotiations between the ICC, PCB and BCB – and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s impending decision – is now expected to play a decisive role in determining how the tournament ultimately plays out.
(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
