In the wake of Pakistan’s decision not to play its T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has begun back-channel efforts to resolve the standoff
Reports say the ICC has assigned its Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja to hold discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to persuade the board to reconsider its decision.
Khwaja, the representative of Singapore Cricket Association; regarded within the ICC as a neutral and credible figure, has been asked to persuade Pakistan to play the match against India in the clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The development comes after the Pakistani government announced on Sunday that while the country will take part in the T20 World Cup 2026, however, the country will boycott playing the high-profile match against India.
Earlier reports suggest that the decision by Pakistan was also made to show solidarity with Bangladesh which had been left out of the tournament by the ICC.
The request of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for shifting their match outside India after Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed the Indian Premier League (IPL) on the direction of Indian cricket board resulted in the removal of Bangladesh from the World Cup.
The ICC declined the BCB’s bid on the basis of logistical difficulties, so near the start of the tournament on February 7, and substituted Scotland in Bangladesh’s place.
Government sources in Pakistan have called out the biased approach of the ICC. They accused ICC Chairman Jay Shah and that his decisions have damaged the neutrality and fairness of the ICC.
ICC said in response that the ICC understands the reasons of national governments, but urged the PCB to look for a mutually-acceptable solution, saying the boycott could negatively affect the global game and disappoint millions of fans worldwide.
Also read: Pakistan boycotts, but what if India faces green shirts in T20 World Cup 2026 semis or final?
