ICC, PCB Talks May Resolve India-Pakistan T20 WC Match Row Soon

Reports said the dispute could be resolved within 24 hours through mutual consultation. Geo TV stated that the PCB will consult the Pakistani government for clear guidance before an official announcement is made.

An ICC delegation led by Vice President Imran Khawaja met PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCB Chairman Aminul Islam in Lahore on Sunday to discuss Pakistan’s decision to boycott the match to be played in Colombo on February 15.

Pakistani media reported that long negotiations have been completed and a road map has been prepared, and a decision is expected in the next few hours.

The development comes after the Pakistani government announced that the national team would not field against India, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif linking the boycott to the Bangladesh controversy as a gesture of solidarity.

Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland after the ICC rejected their request to play all matches outside India in the tournament. This demand comes after Kolkata Knight Riders’ pacer Mustafizur Rahman was excluded from the squad as per BCCI’s instructions due to concerns over atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the ICC asked the PCB to clarify that Members are using the ‘Force Majeure’ clause under the Agreement of Participation. The PCB cited government orders in an e-mail sent to the ICC as the reason for the boycott decision.

The ICC is also understood to have outlined the conditions for the legitimate application of the clause and warned of sporting, commercial and administrative consequences if the match does not take place. The governing body may suspend or terminate membership in case of serious breach of obligations.

The PCB believes it has a strong legal argument, citing an earlier dispute with the BCCI over an unfulfilled 2014 memorandum of understanding on bilateral series that reached the ICC Dispute Settlement Committee.