ICC, BCB officials hold talks with Naqvi; Governing body urges Pakistan to play India; PCB passes decision to PM
ICC Deputy 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 plays its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India after consultations with the Pakistan Cricket Board, following renewed call 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 within the next two days to seek government guidance on Pakistan’s announced boycott of the high-profile February 15 Group A fixture in Colombo.
The sources said that Naqvi will brief Shehbaz on the ICC’s position before any formal response is conveyed. The development came after ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja and BCB President Aminul Islam met Naqvi on Sunday.
A lengthy meeting was held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, involving officials from the PCB, ICC and BCB, as the cricket authorities intensified efforts to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its stance.
According to sources, discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere, with Pakistan openly presenting its reservations and position through detailed arguments. The ICC delegation formally requested PCB to review its decision of not playing India, stressing the broader interests of the game.
Khawaja urged PCB officials to reconsider, maintaining that Pakistan should participate in the match for the sake of the sport. During the meeting, he also supported Pakistan’s and Bangladesh’s stance on certain matters and assured both boards that efforts would be made to address their concerns.
After the deliberations, Khawaja is expected to brief the ICC on the proceedings. In light of his report, the governing body will inform the PCB of its response to Pakistan’s conditions and proposals within one or two days, 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 matters discussed, including the ICC’s 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 Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer.
The PCB said it “warmly welcomed” 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, being held in India and Sri Lanka, with particular 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 matters.
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 grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15, 2026, against India,” the official statement said.
The ICC responded earlier by saying 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 according to the tournament schedule”.
The World Cup, featuring 20 teams divided into four groups, began on Saturday. Pakistan opened its campaign with a victory over the Netherlands in a Group A fixture on February 7. The remaining teams in the group are India, the USA and Namibia.
Originally, Bangladesh had been included in the slate but requested 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 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 Pakistan-India clash remains the marquee event of the tournament, generating millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue. The ICC continues engagements with PCB leadership, with Khawaja tasked to persuade Pakistan to reconsider.
The outcome of talks 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 proceeds.
(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
