‘We had a very strong case, ICC also realized that’ – Ex-PCB chief says Pakistan’s dominance got IND vs PAK match reinstated

In a recent interaction, former chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Najam Sethi has reflected that the board’s strong hold over the case in boycotting the match against India actually got the International Cricket Council to take a step back in the ongoing saga ahead of the clash between the arch-rivals in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Sethi confirmed that the PCB indeed took a lot of factors into consideration during the meeting with ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board officials a week ahead of the India versus Pakistan encounter. Sethi further added that the board had undertaken the minds of some of the best lawyers around the world before making a final call on the matter or the reversal of the call that happened later.

“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 said via 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,” Sethi added.

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