DUBAI: Cricket boards from Australia, England, and South Africa have intensified their efforts to mediate between Pakistan and India to restore bilateral cricket terms.
Representatives from all four boards are expected to present a resolution aimed at improving ties between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during the upcoming ICC meeting.
According to these boards, both Pakistan and India are key members of international cricket, and the revival of their sporting relationship is crucial for the global game.
The meeting will also address the formal handover of the Asia Cup trophy.
During the ongoing ICC session in Dubai, several important decisions have been made, including the expansion of the Women’s World Cup from eight to ten teams.
Approvals have also been granted for initiatives promoting women’s cricket and other long-term strategic plans for the sport’s growth.
The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics 2026 was also reviewed, with six men’s and six women’s teams expected to participate.
Additionally, the ICC has decided to issue tenders for video game licensing rights.
Pakistan and India’s cricket relations have remained strained for years. India refused to continue bilateral series with Pakistan in 2018 and later declined to send its team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023 and the Champions Trophy 2025.
Tensions escalated further after the Pahalgam incident, when the Indian board reportedly instructed its players not to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers during matches.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was also criticized for making politically charged and nationalistic remarks during a post-match presentation, which violated the spirit and ethics of the game.
The things got worst when the Indian team refused to collect the winning trophy from the President of the Asian Cricket Council Mohsin Naqvi on account of his ethnicity.
Moreover, during matches and practice sessions, players from both sides allegedly made provocative gestures, worsening the atmosphere between the two teams.
