PCB tells ICC to revive bilateral ties with India to end their threat of boycott

After a long delay, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) are expected to find a proper resolution after the Pakistan government decided to boycott the India group stage encounter in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

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Notably, a few top ICC officials travelled to Pakistan for direct discussions with the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who came up with several conditions for ending their threat of boycotting the Indian game on Sunday, February 15, in Colombo.

Beyond requesting a larger share of ICC revenue, the PCB Chief also urged the apex body to facilitate the resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan. He also wanted the no-handshake drama to come to an end from the Indian players.

"During the meeting PCB chairman presented before ICC a few conditions including increase in Pakistan's annual funding, India reviving bilateral series and their players shake hands in an India-Pakistan match," the report stated.

"Bangladesh, too, has demanded monetary compensation from the ICC and one global event, maybe the next Under-19 World Cup in 2028," the source further read.

The report also mentioned that the ICC representatives assured both boards that their demands would be placed before the ICC Board for consideration. However, the ultimate call on whether Pakistan will play India depends on the decision taken by the Pakistan Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif.

Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister, is expected to meet Sharif within the next 24 to 28 hours.

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