PCB Sets Conditions As ICC Pushes To Rescue India-Pakistan World Cup Showdown: Report

The future of the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 remains uncertain, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) currently engaged in discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to prevent the fixture from being called off.

The high-profile Group A encounter is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15 and is widely regarded as one of the marquee matches of the tournament.

The situation escalated after Pakistan announced that it would not participate in the match following Bangladesh's removal from the tournament. Bangladesh had earlier declined to travel to India for the World Cup, citing security concerns despite assurances from the ICC. As a result, Scotland was named as Bangladesh's replacement,

triggering strong reactions from Pakistan, which publicly backed Bangladesh's stance.

According to The Telegraph Online, the PCB has put forward certain conditions during ongoing negotiations with the ICC in an attempt to resolve the impasse. While an agreement has not yet been reached, sources suggest that optimism has grown in recent days, raising hopes that the match could still go ahead as scheduled.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently reiterated his country's position, stating that the decision to boycott the India match was taken to express solidarity with Bangladesh.

Sharif also emphasised that sporting events should remain free from political influences. Addressing cabinet members, he maintained that Pakistan had adopted a carefully considered stance and believed supporting Bangladesh was the right decision.

The India-Pakistan contest is one of the biggest draws in global cricket, both in terms of viewership and commercial value. Any cancellation could significantly impact tournament revenues and fan engagement, which is why the ICC is keen to find a workable solution. The governing body has reportedly been exploring multiple options to ensure the blockbuster clash remains part of the tournament schedule.

With the World Cup starting today, time is running short for all stakeholders to reach a resolution. Fans across the cricketing world now await clarity on whether one of the sport's fiercest rivalries will once again light up the global stage or become another casualty of off-field tensions.