WEB DESK: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will seek Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive within days regarding a potential high-profile match against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup, following intense lobbying by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The ICC, fearing massive financial losses if the marquee clash is canceled, has engaged in high-level negotiations in Lahore. ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, joined by Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam, met with PCB’s Naqvi to urge a reconsideration of Pakistan’s stance.
Pakistan had earlier supported Bangladesh’s request to relocate its matches from Pakistan to Sri Lanka over security concerns. When this was declined, Pakistan announced solidarity by refusing to play its scheduled match against India in the 2026 tournament. Naqvi emphasized to the ICC that the decision is governmental, not solely the PCB’s. “The final authority to hold or cancel this match lies with the government,” he stated.
Aminul Islam thanked Pakistan for its solidarity during the talks. The ICC’s concern is primarily financial, as a Pakistan-India match is the tournament’s biggest revenue generator. The Emirates Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket have also officially requested Pakistan reconsider, fearing cascading financial impacts on the event.
The final decision now rests with Prime Minister Sharif, leaving the ICC in suspense over the fate of world cricket’s most lucrative fixture
