T20 World Cup: ICC meets PCB over IndiaPakistan match, BCB chief also present

MUMBAI: The chances of an India–Pakistan clash in Colombo on February 15 in the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup brightened on Sunday, with International Cricket Council (ICC) deputy chairman Imran Khwaja flying to Lahore for a crucial meeting with senior officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

At the time of filing this report, Khwaja was locked in discussions at the Gaddafi Stadium with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam Bulbul and PCB chief operating officer Sumair Ahmed Syed were also present.

“Important meetings are underway. Hopefully, there is now a big ray of hope that the India–Pakistan match will take place as scheduled,” sources tracking developments in Pakistan told TOI.Earlier, Khwaja — who has been acting as a mediator in the highly sensitive situation — was received at Lahore airport by Amir Mir, advisor to Naqvi. The ICC official is understood to have travelled with the sole objective of salvaging the marquee India–Pakistan fixture, which carries enormous commercial value for the ICC and its member boards.

Both the PCB and the International Cricket Council are keen to resolve the standoff triggered by Pakistan’s proposed boycott of the high-profile contest. The meetings in Lahore are expected to be followed by a virtual ICC Board meeting late on Sunday night. Khwaja, who represents Singapore on the ICC Board as an associate member director, is regarded as one of the governing body’s most influential figures and carries voting rights. He has been formally tasked by the ICC Board to mediate and find a way out of the impasse.

Bulbul is also expected to play a role in discussions aimed at persuading Pakistan to reconsider its decision to skip the Colombo fixture.

Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier said that the national team would boycott the India match in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland after refusing to travel to India for their World Cup games, citing security concerns.

However, the situation may now be fluid after Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Shammi Silva wrote to Naqvi, urging the PCB to call off the boycott, warning that a no-show would also result in heavy financial losses for Sri Lanka.

The ICC has meanwhile sought clarity from the PCB on how the ‘Force Majeure’ clause could be invoked to justify Pakistan’s refusal to play the match after the board cited directives from its government.

With the PCB now engaging in deliberations with the ICC, momentum appears to be building towards a possible resolution.

The chain of events was triggered after Bangladesh pulled out of their World Cup matches in India following pacer Mustafizur Rahman being released from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad on the instructions of the BCCI.

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