“ICC has taken a step back and not PCB” - Former PCB Chief makes a startling statement on Pakistan’s U-turn

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Najam Sethi has stated that it was the International Cricket Council (ICC) that took a step back and not the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the Pakistan government’s U-turn on the boycott drama.

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Notably, the Pakistan government initially stated that their national players wouldn’t make it to the field against India in the group stage clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. However, after successful talks between the PCB, ICC, and BCB, the Pakistan government took a U-turn on their boycott decision.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, Sethi made it clear that the PCB was aware that there wouldn’t be any sanctions or penalties on them from the apex body even if they boycott the group stage clash against India.

"In fact, it's the ICC that has taken a step back. I think the ICC has decided to back off a little bit, give Bangladesh some space. It was a very considered decision from Pakistan. They looked at all the angles. They knew that there could be no sanctions (for boycotting India match). They consulted the top lawyers at home and abroad," Sethi told India Today.

"And there are precedents that made it clear to them that they were on a very strong wicket. And at best, they would lose a point, no more than that. And I think the ICC also realised that, which is why then the ICC got into motion and made overtures. That's how Imran Khawaja, the deputy chief, got into action. That's how the Bangladeshis got into action. That's how they came to Pakistan to negotiate so that Pakistan could play this match," he added.

Furthermore, Sethi went on to add that the PCB is not dependent on the ICC anymore due to the rising popularity of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the past few years, stating that the PCB gets more money from the PSL than it does from the ICC.

"And so as far as the question of resources is concerned, there was a time when Pakistan used to rely on ICC resources for sustenance like many of the other boards do, but not anymore. Now that the PSL has taken off in a big way, we get more money from the PSL than we get from the ICC. So Pakistan is well looked after by its own resources. So there was never an issue - never an issue. And I think, between you and me, going forward, maybe in March, you will see some other concessions that have been extracted from the ICC," he concluded.

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