ICC and BCB officials speak with Naqvi; Governing body urges Pakistan to play India; PCB transmits decision to Prime Minister
ICC Vice-President Imran Khawaja and BCB Chairman 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 make the final decision on whether Pakistan will play their scheduled T20 World Cup match against India after consultations with the Pakistan Cricket Board, following a fresh call from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Sources close to 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 views on Pakistan’s announced boycott of the high-profile February 15 Group A match in Colombo.
The sources said Naqvi would inform Shehbaz about the ICC’s position before an official response is conveyed. The development came after ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja and BCB Chairman 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 intensified their efforts to persuade Pakistan to reconsider their position.
According to sources, the discussions took place in a cordial atmosphere with Pakistan openly presenting its reservations and position through detailed arguments. The ICC delegation formally requested the PCB to review its decision not to play India, highlighting the wider interests of the game.
Khawaja urged PCB officials to reconsider their decision, saying Pakistan should participate in the match for the sake of the sport. During the meeting, he also supported the stand of Pakistan and Bangladesh on certain issues and assured both the boards that efforts would be made to address their concerns.
After the deliberations, Khawaja is expected to brief the ICC on the proceedings. In the light of its report, the governing body will inform the PCB about its response to Pakistan’s conditions and proposals within one or two days, the sources said.
Naqvi made it clear during the discussions that the final 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 today and was received at the airport by PCB advisor Amir Mir. Aminul Islam landed separately and was welcomed by Salman Naseer, general manager of the HBL Pakistan Super League.
The CPC said it “warmly welcomed” the two visiting officials. Mir and Naseer also attended the meeting at Gaddafi Stadium.
The officials discussed the current situation around the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is taking place in India and Sri Lanka, with special reference to Pakistan and India. During the discussions, the BCB president thanked Pakistan for its support to Bangladesh in its dispute with the ICC over tournament-related issues.
Pakistan’s stance hardened last week after the federal government announced that although the national team would participate in the World Cup, it would not play against India. “The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan allows 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 said.
The ICC had responded earlier by saying that selective participation was “difficult to reconcile with the fundamental principle of a global sporting event, where all qualified teams are expected to compete on an equal footing according to the tournament schedule.”
The World Cup, bringing together 20 teams divided into four groups, began on Saturday. Pakistan opened their campaign with a victory against the Netherlands in a Group A match on February 7. The remaining teams in the group are India, USA and Namibia.
Bangladesh had originally been included in the list but had asked the ICC to shift its 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 declined the request and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.
Pakistan took a principled stand in favor of Bangladesh and protested the ICC decision, a move that further strained relations with the governing body. Sources said Islam and Naqvi also exchanged views on the broader situation of the tournament and the tensions affecting its schedule.
The Pakistan-India clash remains the tournament’s flagship event, generating millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue. The ICC continues its engagements with the CPC leadership, with Khawaja tasked with persuading Pakistan to reconsider its decision.
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 the final course of the tournament.
(WITH NEWS DESK ENTRY)
