ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to take the final decision on Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the fixture, sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.
According to the sources, Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, is likely to brief the prime minister later today on his recent meeting with a delegation from the International Cricket Council.
The issue arises after Pakistan indicated it would not play against India in solidarity with Bangladesh, which was excluded from the tournament after citing security concerns and declining to send its team to New Delhi.
Talks involving PCB, ICC and BCB
Sources said senior officials from the PCB, ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board held extended discussions a day earlier to address the situation. The meeting was attended by Mohsin Naqvi, BCB President Aminul Islam and ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja.
ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board delegations arrive in Lahore for talks on T20 World Cup dispute
During the talks, the ICC reportedly responded positively to Bangladesh’s concerns, and a proposed framework to address outstanding issues was discussed. Sources said the PCB played a coordinating role during the discussions, while the ICC and BCB exchanged proposals.
ICC officials are expected to seek internal approval for the proposed framework, after which further consultations with Bangladesh are likely to take place.
Background to the dispute
Tensions escalated after Bangladesh objected to playing matches in India, citing security considerations. The ICC later replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament, saying it was not feasible to alter the schedule so close to the event’s start.
Pakistan subsequently reacted to the decision by indicating it would boycott its match against India, pending further developments.
Any potential Pakistan–India match is among the most closely followed fixtures in international cricket, with significant sporting and commercial implications. However, officials say the final call will rest with the prime minister after reviewing the outcome of talks with the ICC.
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