The International Cricket Council (ICC) has moved swiftly following Pakistan’s government announcement that it would boycott its T20 World Cup clash against India. In a bid to avert the boycott, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja travelled to Pakistan yesterday, engaging in high-level discussions with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, as well as Aminul Islam, President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
According to reports from Telecomm Asia Sport, during a meeting lasting more than five hours on Sunday night, Pakistan reportedly proposed three conditions to reconsider their stance on the India fixture. Indian media outlet NDTV corroborated the existence of these conditions, albeit with slightly differing details.
While Pakistani media reported on the ICC–PCB–BCB talks, they did not explicitly confirm whether Pakistan had formally presented any conditions. Geo News, however, reported that PCB Chairman Naqvi is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the coming days to clarify the government’s final position. A definitive decision regarding the February 15 match is anticipated thereafter.
According to India’s Hindustan Times, citing Telecomm Asia Sport, the three conditions put forward by PCB are as follows:
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Increased Revenue Share | Pakistan seeks a higher financial allocation from ICC than the current annual entitlement. |
| Resumption of Bilateral Series | Pakistan requests the resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral series, which have not taken place since 2013, due to India’s reluctance. |
| Conduct During Matches | Pakistan aims to ensure sportsmanship, citing the 2025 Asia Cup where Indian players reportedly did not shake hands with Pakistani players. |
A source told Telecomm Asia Sport, “During the meeting, the PCB chairman presented several conditions to ICC, including an increase in Pakistan’s annual allocation, the revival of bilateral series against India, and the requirement for handshakes to mark the start of India-Pakistan matches.”
NDTV further reported that Pakistan also suggested three Bangladesh-centric conditions, reportedly communicated to ICC officials:
Compensation to Bangladesh – Financial redress related to the T20 World Cup fixture relocation.
Participation Fees – Payment to Bangladesh for participating in the T20 World Cup.
Future Hosting Rights – Assurance for ICC tournament hosting privileges for Bangladesh.
These requests come after the Bangladesh government appealed for shifting the World Cup match from Sri Lanka, a request that ICC ultimately declined, removing Bangladesh from the tournament. Following this, Pakistan’s boycott announcement triggered urgent discussions with the ICC.
With tensions high and the World Cup schedule at stake, the cricketing world now awaits Pakistan’s final decision, which is expected in the coming days after consultations with the national government. The outcome will have significant implications for the tournament, bilateral cricket relations, and regional sporting diplomacy.