ICC in Pakistan talks to revive India T20 World Cup clash | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup News
ICC Engages Pakistan in Efforts to Resolve T20 World Cup Boycott
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively negotiating with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address Pakistan’s decision to boycott its T20 World Cup match against India scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
Matches between India and Pakistan rank among the most lucrative in cricket, generating significant revenue from broadcasting, sponsorships, and advertising.
The potential cancellation of this fixture arose after the Pakistani government mandated that the team refrain from participating in the match. This directive was influenced by political tensions, as Pakistan expressed solidarity with Bangladesh, which opted out of the tournament over security concerns.
Following the government’s announcement, the PCB initiated contact with the ICC, responding to a formal inquiry from the governing body of cricket. Sources indicate that the ICC prefers a resolution through dialogue rather than confrontational measures.
This year’s 20-team tournament has been marred by controversy, particularly after Bangladesh—previously confirmed as a participant—was replaced by Scotland due to its refusal to play in India. In a show of protest, Pakistan stated it would not compete against co-hosts India.
Pakistan emerged victorious in the tournament opener against the Netherlands but now faces potential penalties should they forfeit the upcoming match. A boycott would result in a loss of two points and adversely impact the team’s net run rate.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, confirmed this week that his team will proceed to Colombo for the much-anticipated match, regardless of Pakistan’s decision. The two nations have not engaged in bilateral cricket for over a decade, limiting their encounters to international or regional tournaments.
