India vs Pakistan match at T20 World Cup awaits PM Shehbaz Sharif’s approval after PCB meets ICC, BCB in Lahore

The fate of the blockbuster India-Pakistan group match at the T20 World Cup now rests with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following a tripartite meeting between the Pakistan Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board in Lahore. With the match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo and less than a week remaining, a decision is expected imminently to avoid further disruption.

The standoff comes from Pakistan’s public stance of refusing to play India, a decision that escalated into a wider governance and logistical crisis for the ICC. The situation increased after Bangladesh was removed from the tournament for declining to play their matches in India due to security concerns. Pakistan, expressing solidarity with Bangladesh, threatened to boycott the India fixture in protest, triggering prolonged uncertainty around the marquee encounter.

According to reports, the ICC has been strong in its position, reminding the PCB of its obligations under the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) signed in December 2024. That agreement laid out a hybrid hosting model to facilitate India-Pakistan matches at neutral venues, including Colombo. The ICC rejected Pakistan’s invocation of the Force Majeure clause, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to justify non-participation, and warned of possible financial losses and sanctions if the boycott threat was carried through.

Sunday’s meeting in Lahore, attended by ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja and BCB president Aminul Islam, recorded a shift, with the PCB returning to the negotiating table. While details of the discussions remain confidential, the talks are understood to have reached the Prime Minister’s office, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi expected to brief Shehbaz Sharif before a final call is made. A formal announcement from either the ICC or PCB is likely by the end of the day.

Several demands from the PCB and BCB have been speculated, including assurances that Bangladesh will not face sanctions, protection of its ICC revenue share, and safeguards regarding its co-hosting rights for the 2031 ODI World Cup. Pakistan is also believed to have raised concerns over the current ICC revenue distribution model. However, the ICC has made it clear that bilateral or tri-series commitments involving India fall outside its jurisdiction and remain the prerogative of the BCCI and the Government of India.

The prolonged uncertainty has already placed a heavy logistical burden on the ICC and left thousands of fans, many of whom have booked travel and accommodation. Sri Lanka, the host of the India-Pakistan fixture, has also voiced concerns over potential financial losses to its tourism and hospitality sectors should the match be called off.