Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan and Jay Shah-led ICC’s secret talks LEAKED over T20 World Cup row

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in back-channel talks with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to resolve the issue surrounding Pakistan’s participation at the T20 World Cup 2026. As per reports, the global body is keen to ensure that the group-stage clash between India and Pakistan goes ahead as scheduled.

India and Pakistan, part of Group A, were set to play in Colombo on February 15. Following government directives, Pakistan would skip the fixture against India. If the match does not take place, India will receive two points, while Pakistan will be handed a loss along with a negative impact on their net run rate.

Shehbaz Sharif Shares Pakistan’s Stance, ICC Responds to Boycott Decision

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the decision was taken to stand with Bangladesh, who were left out of the T20 World Cup after refusing to play matches in India. Scotland replaced Bangladesh in Group C for the T20 World Cup.

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The PCB has not made any public statement on skipping the group match against India. After the Pakistan government shared the decision on its X account, the ICC responded by asking the PCB to look for a solution that works for all stakeholders.

Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA are also part of Group A. India are the defending champions, while Pakistan were eliminated in the first round of the last T20 World Cup two years ago.

If both teams move past the group and Super Eight stages, India and Pakistan could still meet in the semifinal or the final. The 20-team tournament begins with a triple-header on Saturday, February 7.

ICC Officials Hold Talks With PCB to Find Solution

According to ESPNCricinfo, senior ICC officials have held several discussions to find a solution. ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja and Emirates Cricket Board official Mubashir Usmani, who is also an ICC Board member, have been in touch with Mohsin Naqvi and Salman Naseer, the PSL head and Naqvi’s senior advisor.

Reports said the talks began around a week before the boycott was announced. During that period, Naqvi raised concerns about Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup and stated that the final decision would depend on the government.

In the same week, Naqvi travelled to the UAE on a state visit. He sought advice from officials there and also met Khwaja. Even after Khwaja returned to Singapore and Naqvi went back to Pakistan, the discussions have continued.

PCB Responds to Sanctions Warning, ICC Steps In to Resolve Dispute

The PCB was earlier informed that Pakistan could face sanctions if it withdrew from the tournament entirely. In response, the board said that the matter was not about financial consequences.

After Bangladesh was excluded from the competition, Mohsin Naqvi criticised the decision. He accused the ICC of double standards and said Bangladesh had been treated unfairly.

Since the boycott was announced, the ICC has focused on resolving the PCB’s concerns to ensure the match goes ahead. ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja has stepped in as a mediator, as he has done in other recent issues involving the PCB, the BCCI, and the ICC.

Also read: Salman Ali Agha reveals Pakistan’s knockout plan vs India in T20 World Cup 2026