Will India play tri-nation series with Pakistan & Bangladesh? Know here
The Pakistani cricket board presented three conditions to the ICC ahead of their T20 World Cup match against India on February 15.
As the T20 World Cup 2026 continues to provide top-class action and entertainment for cricket fans across the world, the heat remains on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in light of their on-going beef with the ICC and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC).
The saga began when the PCB, led by chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced a boycott of their high-stakes match against India scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. This move was positioned as solidarity with Bangladesh, whose exclusion from the tournament due to their refusal to play in India sparked outrage.
Pakistan‘s stance stemmed from broader frustrations, including the hybrid model for ICC events that mandates neutral venues for Indo-Pak clashes. The boycott threat intensified calls for a reevaluation of cricketing ties, with PCB refusing to formally inform the ICC of their participation.
Reports from Cricbuzz highlighted how this drama unfolded, peaking with back-channel talks involving ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja, who was tasked with convincing Pakistan to relent.
The turning point came during a crucial meeting in Lahore on February 8, attended by ICC representatives, PCB officials, and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam. What emerged was a potential U-turn by Pakistan.
Fact Check: Will India play tri-nation series with Pakistan & Bangladesh?
Sources from several mainstream platforms including Cricbuzz indicate that PCB and BCB coordinated to propose not just resuming bilateral series but a full-fledged tri-nation tournament featuring the three nations. This was seen as a bargaining chip to resolve the impasse, with discussions also touching on revenue sharing for Bangladesh and future tournament allotments.
However, the ICC firmly rejected the tri-series demand, stating it falls outside their purview and rests solely with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government. The world body emphasized adherence to the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) signed in December 2024, which locks in neutral venues and prohibits unilateral boycotts.
PCB presented several conditions during the talks: increased annual funding for Pakistan, resumption of Indo-Pak bilaterals (last played in 2012-13), enforcement of handshake protocols in matches, and the tri-series itself as a goodwill gesture.
Additionally, they sought full revenue for Bangladesh despite their exclusion and an U-19 World Cup hosting for them in the next cycle. While ICC accepted demands to avoid penalising Bangladesh further, the bilateral and tri-series proposals were dismissed outright.
This tri-nation idea was one of PCB’s key conditions, aimed at thawing frozen relations strained since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Yet, history suggests it’s a long shot. India and Pakistan have only clashed in multi-nation events since 2013, with no bilaterals due to security and political concerns.
What was the proposed tri-nation series?
Pakistan and Bangladesh suggested a tournament involving India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as a goodwill measure to ease tensions.
Why did the ICC reject the proposal?
The ICC stated tri-series decisions fall outside its authority and must comply with the Members Participation Agreement.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.