- By Vishal Pushkar
- Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:42 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Cricket Board recently hosted the deputy chair of the ICC (International Cricket Council), Imran Khawaja, and BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) chairman Aminul Islam at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore amid the ongoing deadlock with the IND-PAK match in the T20 World Cup 2026. As per a report from NDTV, Naqvi has put forth three demands from the ICC (International Cricket Council) for ending the standoff. The report stated that the PCB has asked for hosting rights of an ICC event in the future.
PCB has also asked for a participation fee for Bangladesh Cricket despite their withdrawal from the tournament. Also, they have asked for increased compensation for the BCB.
Notably, another report has claimed that PCB was also seeking the resumption of bilateral cricket with India, along with even more funding from the governing body.
ICC On PCB’s Explanation
Pakistan aimed to activate the Force Majeure clause in its contract with the ICC to evade facing India in the World Cup. Force Majeure is a contractual provision that releases a party from its commitments when exceptional circumstances beyond its control occur, such as war, terrorism, natural calamities, and a mandatory government directive.
ICC informed PCB of the potential material damage the former could incur if the match does not go ahead. The global governing body does not want any confrontation, but under their constitution, they are allowed to go ahead with suspension/termination of a membership if there is a massive breach of obligations supposed to be fulfilled.
PCB also believes that if the matter becomes contentious, they have a strong case because there is a reference to an old PCB-BCCI dispute that reached the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) regarding a bilateral series.
It was about BCCI allegedly failing to honour a 2014 MoU between the two boards to play six bilateral series between 2013 and 2015. PCB lost its claim for damages but believes the Indian government's refusal to grant BCCI permission to proceed with the series sets a precedent for them, according to ESPNCricinfo.
PCB Divided Over India Boycott?
Several officials from the PCB support the idea of playing against India in Colombo, despite Naqvi's preference to uphold the current decision to boycott the match. In a discussion with PCB and BCB, the ICC restated that there will be "consequences" if Pakistan does not change their stance and participate in the match as planned. Naqvi is anticipated to seek advice from Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before making a final decision.
Inputs from Agency