Amid IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 row, ICC approaches PCB behind the scenes for THIS thing

Pakistan are expected to boycott IND vs PAK clash in Colombo on February 15.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) removed Bangladesh Cricket Team from T20 World Cup 2026 over their demand to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka. The governing body replaced them with Scotland in Group C.

This left Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unsatisfied as they criticised ICC’s actions against Bangladesh. After a discussion with the Pakistan government over the matter, they have decided to boycott their clash against India in the group stage of the 20-team tournament.

As per the original schedule, India and Pakistan, who are placed in Group A in T20 World Cup 2026, are scheduled to clash on February 15 in Colombo. However, the Pakistan government has ordered their players not to play against India. Although PCB have not issued a statement to ICC over their decision, the statement was shared by the Pakistan government on their official account on X (Twitter).

ICC and PCB in talks over IND vs PAK row

According to a report by ESPN Cricinfo, ICC is trying their best efforts to persuade PCB to change their decision of skipping their encounter against India. It is learned that the ICC and PCB are engaged in back-channel communications as the former wants the India vs Pakistan game to take place as per plans.

Imran Khwaja, the ICC deputy chair, and Mubashir Usmani of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), who is also on the ICC Board, have conducted talks with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi over the last few weeks. Salman Naseer, a senior advisor to Naqvi, has also been part of the discussions.

After the decision to boycott the game against India, Naqvi travelled to UAE for a state visit but is believed to have sought advice from officials there and also met Khwaja. Since then, regular discussions between Naqvi and Khawaja have taken place over the matter.

Notably, ICC is focused on addressing PCB’s grievances so that the IND vs PAK game goes ahead as planned. Khawaja has stepped forward as a mediator to solve the issues between PCB, ICC, and BCCI.

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