LAHORE — The high-stakes standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the marquee T20 World Cup clash against India is reaching a tipping point. Following an emergency five-hour meeting at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, reports suggest that Pakistan may be ready to withdraw its boycott threat—but only if a specific set of demands are met.
A high-level ICC delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja and Associate Members’ representative Mubashir Usmani, arrived in Lahore to mediate the crisis. The tension stems from the Pakistan government’s directive to skip the February 15 encounter in Colombo as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh, who were ousted from the tournament after refusing to travel to India.
The meeting was notably attended by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam, signaling a united front between the PCB and BCB against the current ICC scheduling and revenue structures.
The Three Conditions
According to reports, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has placed three primary conditions on the table to end the boycott:
- Revenue & Compensation: An increase in Pakistan’s annual ICC funding share and financial compensation for the BCB following their tournament exit.
- Bilateral Ties: A formal commitment or roadmap from the ICC to facilitate the resumption of bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan, which have been frozen for over a decade.
- On-Field Etiquette: Addressing the “no-handshake” controversy from the previous Asia Cup, ensuring that players observe customary greetings and sportsmanship during the match.
What Happens Next?
While the ICC officials have reportedly agreed to present these demands to the ICC Board, the final decision rests with Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. Naqvi, who also serves as the country’s Interior Minister, is expected to brief the PM within the next 24 hours.
With the Colombo clash just days away, the cricket world remains on edge. If the boycott holds, Pakistan faces a forfeiture, loss of points, and potential heavy financial sanctions from the ICC.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News