The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sent two representatives to Lahore to discuss the India vs Pakistan match boycott matter with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
IND vs PAK match on?
According to the Times of India, ICC’s deputy chairman Imran Khwaja and Associate Member Director Mubashir Usmani landed in Lahore earlier today (February 8) after the PCB invited them to visit to resolve the issue.
On February 1, the government of Pakistan announced the decision to boycott India at the T20 World Cup. The move was made after the ICC had removed Bangladesh from the tournament after they refused to travel to India.
A week later, it seems like Pakistan could walk back from the decision, and the India vs Pakistan match might go ahead as planned. A decision is expected to be taken by tonight itself.
SLC, ICC wrote to PCB
Just yesterday, the ICC had questioned the PCB for their refusal to play. The PCB had invoked the Force Majeure, shifting the blame to the Pakistani government for boycotting India. Just one day later, the two cricket boards met to resolve the issue.
Apart from the ICC, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was also displeased with the PCB. If the India vs Pakistan match were cancelled, the SLC would suffer major financial losses. Therefore, SLC wrote a 2-page letter to PCB urging them to change their stance. Shammi Silva, President of SLC, contacted PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi directly as well.
It looks like all of this worked. The PCB is willing to discuss the issue, forcing everyone to come and sit at the table with them. Let’s not forget that PCB will suffer monetarily as well if the India vs Pakistan match isn’t played.
The ICC could withhold their share of revenue from the T20 World Cup and perhaps impose further sanctions. The match between the arch-rivals is valued at $250 million (INR 2289 crore approximately). If the game doesn’t go ahead, the pockets of all involved will be lighter.
Cricket
ICC-PCB meeting underway in Lahore, decision on IND vs PAK match boycott likely today
