Jay Shah, Mohsin Naqvi to shake hands and bury India-Pakistan controversy forever? Report drops bomb

The cricket fans are likely to witness a rare feel-good moment as the long India-Pakistan controversy finally ended, and now all eyes are set on February 15, when the two arch-rivals will meet in the T20 World Cup 2026 group match in Colombo.

India-Pakistan clash set to mark the end of ICC-PCB tension

Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), and Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), are likely to be present at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo for the high-octane India-Pakistan match on Sunday.

The main agenda behind this reported move is to send a strong message that the things between the ICC and PCB have improved, and the worst phase of the dispute is now over. After days of uncertainty and closed-door discussions, the deadlock between the PCB and the ICC has been cleared.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Read Also: Abhishek Sharma ruled out of India vs Pakistan match? Concerning update throws Sanju Samson up against Shaheen Afridi

Apart from Shah and Naqvi, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief Shammi Silva are also likely to attend the much-awaited India-Pakistan clash in Colombo, making the occasion bigger than just a cricket match.

Colombo meeting could signal the end of ICC-PCB rift during India-Pakistan clash

A source close to the development was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express: “There is a possibility of the PCB chairman and the ICC chief travelling to Colombo on February 15 to watch the India-Pakistan match, along with the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh board presidents.”

The idea behind this public gathering is to show the world that the ICC, PCB, and BCB are united again, and they are ready to move forward, and they can solve the remaining issues without creating more drama.

The source further added, “The objective behind the public appearance is to give an impression that the rift within the house is over now. Obviously when they meet, they can discuss anything further that needs to be resolved.”

SLC waits for the green signal but opens doors for ICC, PCB and BCB bigwigs

The SLC has welcomed the possibility of hosting the ICC and PCB heads, along with the BCB officials. However, they have not yet received official confirmation of the same.

Read Also: Bangladesh govt backstabs own cricketers, pins T20 World Cup boycott blame on players

SLC secretary Bandula Dissanayake stated, “They are welcome whenever they want to come and enjoy the match. It's good for the SLC and Sri Lanka as a country. I hope it's not too late for the fans to throng Colombo and watch the match. It will be a big boost for our economy and also serve the cause of our tourism and hotel industry.”

Earlier this week, the Pakistani government gave formal approval for its team to play India in the T20 World Cup 2026 match. This came after discussions at different levels and requests from friendly nations to enable the smooth conduct of the T20 World Cup 2026.

On the other hand, the ICC has mentioned that its talks with the PCB were part of a broader effort to keep all members on the same page. The focus is on cooperation, mutual respect, and honouring commitments made for ICC events so the tournament can continue without disruption.