On February 8, 2026, key officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) met with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi at Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The meeting was held to address the ongoing dispute involving the Pakistan-India match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The ICC delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, and BCB President Aminul Islam were welcomed by Naqvi. Discussions centered around Pakistan’s decision to boycott its scheduled match against India, set for February 15, while still participating in the rest of the tournament. The move follows the Pakistani government’s directive, citing political tensions.
The Pakistan-India cricket rivalry is one of the most lucrative in the sport, generating millions in broadcast and sponsorship revenues. However, the decision to skip the match has cast uncertainty over the tournament’s schedule and financial implications.
The T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, faces challenges as political considerations intersect with cricket. The ICC has urged the PCB to find a resolution, emphasizing the importance of consistent participation in global events.
The absence of Bangladesh from the tournament, replaced by Scotland, has also sparked debate over governance and fairness in international cricket. The ICC continues to await official communication from the PCB regarding the matter.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 9th, 2026
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