Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi held talks with ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chairman Aminul Islam as efforts continue to resolve a standoff over Pakistan’s proposed boycott of their T20 World Cup 2026 match against India.
Naqvi met ICC’s Khwaja and his BCB counterpart Aminul at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday evening. The discussions come amid uncertainty surrounding the high-profile India-Pakistan fixture scheduled for 15 February in Colombo.
Khwaja arrived in Lahore earlier in the day and was received by senior PCB officials along with Aminul before the meeting. An influential figure within the ICC, Khwaja represents Singapore on the governing body and has voting rights as an associate member
director.
According to a PCB source, the talks are part of a broader effort to break the deadlock, with Khwaja and Aminul expected to hold further discussions with ICC board members via a virtual meeting later on Sunday as negotiations continue over the match’s status.
PCB Using Boycott Threat As Bargaining Chip?
Meanwhile, reports have emerged that the PCB has made three demands from the ICC in lieu of calling off its proposed boycott of India match. PCB is hopeful of an increased share in revenue from the ICC, reviving bilateral cricket with India and resumption of handshakes between players on the field.
PCB could argue that it is vital to the cash-churning India-Pakistan match and hence deserves more funding.
“Pakistan’s strong stance has put them in a good position to bargain for a few things which have been the PCB’s demands for several years,” Telecom Asia Sport quoted source as saying. “There has long been an opinion among cricket administrators that since Pakistan is a vital cog in the highest money-generating match, they should receive more funding.”
PCB wants ICC to mediate in resumption of bilateral tours between India and Pakistan. However, as far as bilateral series goes, the final call rests with the Indian government and not with the BCCI.
