ICC and BCB officials hold talks with Naqvi; Governing body urges Pakistan to play India; PCB passes 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 take 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 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 in the next two days to seek guidance from the government on Pakistan’s announced boycott of the high-profile Group A match on February 15 in Colombo.
Sources said Naqvi will brief Shehbaz about the ICC’s position before any formal response is conveyed. The development came after ICC Vice President 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 the cricket authorities intensified their efforts to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its stance.
According to sources, the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere and Pakistan openly presented its reservations and position through detailed arguments. The ICC delegation formally requested PCB to review its decision not to play India, emphasizing 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 the stance of Pakistan and Bangladesh on certain issues and assured both boards that efforts would be made to address their concerns.
After deliberations, Khawaja is expected to brief the ICC on the proceedings. In light of its report, the governing body will inform the PCB of its response to Pakistan’s conditions and proposals within a day or two, sources said.
Naqvi made it clear during the talks that the final decision rests with the government. In the next phase, he will brief Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on all matters discussed, including the ICC appeal and Pakistan’s position.
Khawaja arrived in Lahore on the same day and was received at the airport by PCB advisor Amir Mir. Aminul Islam landed separately and was received by HBL Pakistan Super League CEO Salman Naseer.
The PCB said it “warmly welcomed” both visiting officials. Mir and Naseer also attended the meeting at the Gaddafi stadium.
The officials discussed the current situation surrounding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will 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 grants 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 said.
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 according to the tournament schedule.”
The World Cup began on Saturday, in which 20 teams divided into four groups participate. Pakistan opened their campaign with a victory over Netherlands in a Group A match on February 7. The remaining teams in the group are India, United States and Namibia.
Bangladesh had originally been included in the list but requested the ICC to move 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 rejected the request and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.
Pakistan took a principled stance 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 broader situation of the tournament 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 engage with the PCB leadership, and Khawaja is tasked with persuading Pakistan to reconsider its decision.
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 will ultimately unfold.
(WITH INPUTS FROM THE NEWS DESK)
