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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it faces a potential lawsuit from official broadcasters, JioStar, for boycotting the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, NDTV reported, citing sources.
The decision to boycott the February 15 game against India in Colombo followed instructions from their government, but Pakistan has not yet officially specified the reasons to the ICC.
Broadcasters are assured $1 billion from four Pakistan-India matches in four ICC events this cycle. Additionally, the shares allotted to member nations will be significantly reduced if they are not held.
The ICC is reportedly considering withholding Pakistan's entire annual revenue share—estimated at around $35 million—to compensate the broadcasters for the financial damage caused by the boycott, according to PTI.
According to a source at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), even though chairman Mohsin Naqvi sought legal counsel before informing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the subject last week, the board is prepared for significant consequences.
"If Pakistan doesn't relent and play against India, not only will they face financial penalties, perhaps a lawsuit from broadcasters, but also any efforts to go to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) are likely to fail," a source was quoted as saying by PTI.
Although the PCB has yet to provide a formal written communication to the ICC, the decision to boycott is widely viewed as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh following their removal from the tournament.
This move carries significant legal risk, as the ICC's four-year broadcasting deal was predicated on the inclusion of high-value India-Pakistan fixtures; consequently, a source explained that the broadcaster would be within its rights to pursue legal action against both the PCB and the ICC for a major breach of contract.
"The PCB might face problems regardless of their government directive to not play India, as they are playing all their matches at a neutral venue (Sri Lanka) as per their wishes and not in India," another PCB source added.
Furthermore, the board source highlighted that while the Indian government has restricted its team from travelling to Pakistan, it has consistently permitted matches against Pakistan at neutral venues during the Asia Cup and ICC events, even following the conflict in May. As per the sources to PTI, the PCB attempted to seek support from other member boards but was unable to find any backers.
Also Read: MS Dhoni rules out commentary stint, says stat-heavy role not his cup of tea
On Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the country's plan to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India, stating the government had made a "clear stand" for the February 15 match, according to Dawn.
While addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad, he said, "We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India."
Calling it an "appropriate decision", he added, "There should be no politics in sports. We have taken this stand after deliberating on it carefully."
Earlier on Sunday, the ICC warned the PCB's reported position of “selective participation” in the T20 World Cup could have far-reaching consequences. In a statement, it said, "While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms."
The decision to boycott the February 15 game against India in Colombo followed instructions from their government, but Pakistan has not yet officially specified the reasons to the ICC.
Broadcasters are assured $1 billion from four Pakistan-India matches in four ICC events this cycle. Additionally, the shares allotted to member nations will be significantly reduced if they are not held.
The ICC is reportedly considering withholding Pakistan's entire annual revenue share—estimated at around $35 million—to compensate the broadcasters for the financial damage caused by the boycott, according to PTI.
According to a source at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), even though chairman Mohsin Naqvi sought legal counsel before informing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the subject last week, the board is prepared for significant consequences.
"If Pakistan doesn't relent and play against India, not only will they face financial penalties, perhaps a lawsuit from broadcasters, but also any efforts to go to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) are likely to fail," a source was quoted as saying by PTI.
While addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad, he said, "We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India."
Although the PCB has yet to provide a formal written communication to the ICC, the decision to boycott is widely viewed as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh following their removal from the tournament.
This move carries significant legal risk, as the ICC's four-year broadcasting deal was predicated on the inclusion of high-value India-Pakistan fixtures; consequently, a source explained that the broadcaster would be within its rights to pursue legal action against both the PCB and the ICC for a major breach of contract.
"The PCB might face problems regardless of their government directive to not play India, as they are playing all their matches at a neutral venue (Sri Lanka) as per their wishes and not in India," another PCB source added.
Furthermore, the board source highlighted that while the Indian government has restricted its team from travelling to Pakistan, it has consistently permitted matches against Pakistan at neutral venues during the Asia Cup and ICC events, even following the conflict in May. As per the sources to PTI, the PCB attempted to seek support from other member boards but was unable to find any backers.
Also Read: MS Dhoni rules out commentary stint, says stat-heavy role not his cup of tea
On Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the country's plan to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India, stating the government had made a "clear stand" for the February 15 match, according to Dawn.
While addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad, he said, "We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India."
Calling it an "appropriate decision", he added, "There should be no politics in sports. We have taken this stand after deliberating on it carefully."
Earlier on Sunday, the ICC warned the PCB's reported position of “selective participation” in the T20 World Cup could have far-reaching consequences. In a statement, it said, "While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms."
