The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in a tough spot. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has demanded an explanation for their decision to boycott the India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026.
ICC questions PCB
The PCB had invoked the Force Majeure clause, which denies them any accountability since they’re just following the orders of the Pakistan government. However, the ICC doesn’t buy this. According to PTI, the international cricket body has questions about the basis on which Pakistan plays all of their other matches but not against India.
SLC’s letter to PCB
But that isn’t all. Recently, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had written to the PCB, urging them to reconsider their stance on boycotting the India vs Pakistan match. In a two-page letter, SLC detailed how all ‘commercial, operational, logistical and security-related arrangements’ were already in place for the high-octane game between the arch-rivals on February 15 in Colombo. If PCB boycotts the clash, SLC would suffer significant financial losses.
SLC also reminded PCB that they’ve backed Pakistan in their toughest times, when world cricket refused to tour them. After a deadly terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore on March 3, 2009, SLC sent their team to Pakistan in October 2017, after which other countries resumed touring the nation.
PCB Chief to hold talks with Pakistan PM
After SLC’s request, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control, will hold talks with the Pakistan government.
“Obviously, Pakistan has always enjoyed very close and friendly ties with Sri Lanka at the government to government and cricket level. So, the mail from their Board can’t be ignored just like that,” a source told PTI.
SLC President Shammi Silva has officially reached out to Naqvi regarding the matter. The PCB chief wasn’t in Pakistan and therefore couldn’t hold a conversation with the Pakistani government earlier. But he’ll return today (February 7) and talk it over with Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, whom he’d consulted before the boycott decision was announced.
“Mohsin Naqvi has been contacted directly by the Sri Lankan Board president Shammi Silva and been reminded that at this time Sri Lanka need Pakistan to step up for them, as without Pakistan and India matches, the Sri Lankan Board would stand to lose extra revenues from gate money, hospitality sales, etc.”
“PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has not even been in the country since yesterday and is due back today. He will bring the email to the notice of the Prime Minister on ending the boycott of the India match, and then a decision would be made on the matter by Monday,” the source said.
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