Pakistan’s participation in the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 match against India remains uncertain, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to take the final decision after consultations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other stakeholders. According to sources close to the matter, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is likely to meet the prime minister within the next couple of days to seek official direction regarding Pakistan’s stance on the February 15 Group A match, scheduled to take place in Colombo.

The situation gained momentum after renewed engagement from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has reportedly urged Pakistan to reconsider its refusal to play against India during the tournament.

On Sunday, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, along with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam, met Mohsin Naqvi at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, where extensive discussions were held involving representatives from the PCB, ICC, and BCB.

Sources say the meeting took place in a cooperative and respectful environment, with Pakistan strongly presenting its concerns and reasoning. The ICC delegation, however, emphasized that Pakistan’s participation in all scheduled fixtures is important for the integrity of the competition. During the meeting, Khawaja reportedly stressed that global tournaments operate on the expectation that all qualified teams will compete according to the official schedule. He encouraged Pakistan to take part in the India match, calling it beneficial for the sport.

He also acknowledged certain concerns raised by both Pakistan and Bangladesh, assuring the boards that the ICC would attempt to address their issues. While discussions continue, Mohsin Naqvi made it clear that the PCB cannot unilaterally reverse the boycott decision. He reportedly informed officials that the final approval will come from Pakistan’s federal government, and the board will act based on the prime minister’s guidance.

Once Naqvi meets PM Shehbaz, Pakistan’s official response to the ICC is expected to become clearer. Another key element fuelling tensions is Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh in its dispute with the ICC. Bangladesh had requested that its matches be moved away from India, citing controversy involving star player Mustafeezur Rehman, who was reportedly released from the IPL after political backlash.

The ICC declined Bangladesh’s request and later replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament lineup, further complicating the situation.

Pakistan’s public support for Bangladesh’s position reportedly strained its relationship with the ICC even further. The Pakistan-India rivalry is widely regarded as the biggest commercial event of any ICC tournament. The match generates enormous revenue through broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, and global advertising.

Because of these high stakes, the ICC has continued discussions with PCB leadership, and Imran Khawaja has reportedly been assigned a key role in convincing Pakistan to reverse its position.

What Happens Next?

With the ICC awaiting Khawaja’s report and the PCB preparing to consult the government, the coming days are expected to be crucial. Ultimately, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s decision could determine not only whether the match takes place, but also how smoothly the tournament proceeds moving forward.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)