COLOMBO: The high-level negotiations are underway as the International Cricket Council (ICC) engages with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in an effort to resolve Pakistan’s refusal to play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India.
In this sense, the highly anticipated Group A fixture, set for February 15 in Colombo, has been thrown into uncertainty after Pakistan’s government cleared the national team to participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup but withheld approval for the match against its arch-rivals.
The decision has placed the global cricketing body in a delicate position, balancing sporting integrity with geopolitical sensitivities.
Furthermore, any encounter between India and Pakistan is considered the crown jewel of international cricket, drawing massive global viewership and generating millions of dollars in broadcast rights, sponsorships, and advertising revenue.
The potential absence of such a match has sent ripples across the tournament’s commercial and organizational framework. In this regard, the PCB approached the ICC following a formal communication from the world governing body.
The ICC, it is understood, is seeking to manage the situation through dialogue rather than punitive measures, reflecting the sensitivity of the issue and its broader implications.
The controversy has further complicated an already tense tournament build-up. The 20-team event had earlier been overshadowed by political developments after Bangladesh declined to tour India due to security concerns, leading to Scotland’s inclusion in the competition.
On the field, Pakistan began their campaign with a narrow victory over the Netherlands on Saturday. However, forfeiting the India match would cost the team two crucial points and significantly damage their net run rate — a factor that could prove decisive in the group stage.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, confirmed earlier this week that his team would travel to Colombo as scheduled, signaling India’s readiness to play.
