Pakistan Signals Willingness to End India Boycott at T20 World Cup, Sets Three Conditions
Summary
Pakistan has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it is open to ending its boycott of the India clash in the T20 World Cup 2026, provided three conditions are met. The Pakistan Cricket Board raised the demands during a meeting with ICC officials in Lahore, as the controversy surrounding Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament continues to shape regional cricket politics.
AI-assisted summary
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has indicated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it is willing to reconsider its decision to boycott the high-profile T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, subject to three specific demands, sources told NDTV. The development comes after weeks of uncertainty and rising tension within international cricket administration.
According to sources, the PCB outlined its conditions during a meeting with ICC officials in Lahore on Sunday. The demands include increased financial compensation for Bangladesh, a guaranteed participation fee for Bangladesh despite its early exit from the T20 World Cup, and hosting rights for Bangladesh for a future ICC tournament.
Bangladesh is seeking a larger share of ICC revenue, arguing that additional funding is necessary to strengthen cricketing infrastructure, improve player development pathways, and enhance the national team’s competitiveness. The proposal also calls for a participation fee, even though Bangladesh was eliminated early from the tournament. Officials believe teams incur significant costs in preparation and should receive baseline financial security regardless of results.
The third demand focuses on awarding Bangladesh hosting rights for a future ICC event. The board maintains that the country now has the required facilities, operational capacity, and fan engagement to successfully stage a major global tournament, which would also provide a boost to its cricket economy.
Meanwhile, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday to seek further guidance before a final decision is made. While some PCB officials are reportedly open to playing the India match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, Naqvi remains cautious on the issue.
The ICC had removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup last month after the team refused to travel to India for its group-stage matches, citing security concerns. Despite assurances from the ICC that there was no verifiable threat, the Bangladesh Cricket Board maintained its position, leading to Scotland being named as a replacement.
Pakistan has since publicly supported Bangladesh’s stance. PCB officials, including Naqvi, also held discussions with Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul to address the ongoing impasse. The situation intensified after the ICC sought clarification on whether the force majeure clause could justify the refusal to play, particularly after the PCB attempted to attribute the decision to government direction.
Amid the administrative controversy, Pakistan began its T20 World Cup campaign with a narrow three-wicket victory over the Netherlands in Colombo on Saturday.