The Pakistan Cricket Board is, reportedly, about to clarify its stance on the proposed boycott of its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India within the next 24 hours, following a marathon meeting with senior ICC officials in Lahore. After marathon talks that took place over the last five hours in Lahore, a consultation with the federal government is to be conducted by the PCB to decide whether to play the high-profile encounter to be held on February 15 at Colombo.
The talks were held at Gaddafi Stadium and included the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi; ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja; and the Bangladesh Cricket Board president, Aminul Islam. The talks are important and urgent because the commercialisation of the tournament largely depends on the most anticipated match.
The discussions focused on Pakistan’s decision to boycott the India match scheduled for February 15 at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
As per reports, the PCB placed three key conditions before the ICC to reconsider its stance. These include an increase in Pakistan’s annual ICC funding, support from the ICC to help revive bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan, and a commitment from players to uphold on-field ethics, including customary handshakes during India-Pakistan matches.
At the centre of the dispute is Pakistan’s decision, announced on February 2, to skip the match in solidarity with Bangladesh, which was replaced by Scotland in the tournament. Sources close to the development say Bangladesh and Pakistan have a synchronised position on these discussions, adding another dimension of difficulty to the ICC's endeavour at compromising.
The proposed boycott carries, apart from the above sporting implications, staggering financial risks. Industry estimates suggest one India vs Pakistan generates revenue upwards of $250 million for broadcast rights, sponsorship deals, and viewership across the globe. Its absence would get the ICC's packages seriously undervalued and make annual payouts to member boards insecure. With the clock ticking, these next 24 hours are decisive for the future of the tournament's marquee match.
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