Pakistan To Announce Final Decision On India Match Boycott After Crucial ICC Talks

9th February 2026 at 9:10 AM

1 minute read

New Delhi : Pakistan’s stance on whether it will boycott its high-profile T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India is expected to be clarified within the next 24 hours following an extended meeting between the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Lahore, according to reports.

The discussions, which lasted for several hours, were led by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja, and BCB president Aminul Islam. The key focus was Pakistan’s announced boycott of its scheduled February 15 clash with India in Colombo, a decision formally conveyed by the Pakistani government earlier this month in protest at the ICC’s move to replace Bangladesh after it refused to play matches in India over security fears.

Also Read : T20 World Cup 2026: Will PakistanReconsider India Boycott as BCB, PCB Chiefs Meet ICC Officials in Lahore?

While Pakistan confirmed it will continue to participate in the tournament overall, its government directive instructs the team not to take the field against India, given that the India-Pakistan fixture is one of cricket’s most commercially significant and widely watched contests.

Negotiations are ongoing, and PCB officials have reportedly put forward additional conditions in hopes of resolving the impasse, including calls for greater revenue sharing and other concessions from the ICC.Meanwhile, the BCB’s involvement has highlighted regional solidarity following Bangladesh’s own T20 World Cup dispute.

The ICC has been seeking detailed justification from Pakistan for invoking “force majeure” to boycott the India game, while emphasising the importance of fulfilling contractual obligations. With global cricket stakeholders closely watching, the next day could determine whether the marquee India-Pakistan matchup goes ahead as planned or if a compromise is reached to salvage the fixture.

Also read : ICC Delegation Heads to Pakistan Amid India Match Impasse