T20 World Cup 2026: BCB chief in Lahore ahead of PCB-ICC meet, will Pakistan reconsider India match boycott?

Lahore: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam has arrived in Lahore ahead of a virtual meeting between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). The meeting is being held to resolve the ongoing impasse over Pakistan's proposed boycott of the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. Former Test cricketer Amin met with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in ​​Lahore and is expected to participate in the virtual discussion, which aims to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its decision not to play against India in the T20 World Cup match scheduled for February 15.

How has the PCB reacted? 

Naqvi has not commented extensively on the government's directives regarding the boycott of the India match, but officials indicated that the situation changed after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sent an email to the PCB urging them to end the boycott. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta has also traveled to Colombo to meet with SLC president Shammi Silva, who had sent the email to Naqvi urging him to play the match against India in the World Cup. 

The ICC has already sought clarification from Pakistan on how the 'force majeure' (inability to fulfill contractual obligations due to unavoidable circumstances) clause can be invoked. Pakistan wanted to justify the team's refusal to play the T20 World Cup match against India through this clause, as the PCB had tried to evade responsibility by shifting the blame to its government. However, a ray of hope has emerged as the PCB has contacted the ICC for discussions. This information was provided by an ICC director who believes that the high-profile match will eventually take place.

What is the ICC doing? 

The ICC is currently engaging with the board in a structured manner to find a potential solution, with the understanding that the interests of the game should prevail over unilateral actions. Pakistan had decided to boycott the match against India in a show of solidarity with Bangladesh. Bangladesh had refused to travel to India for the World Cup matches, citing security concerns, after which Scotland was included in the tournament in their place.