BCB Chief Arrives in Pakistan Ahead of ICC Meeting on India Match Boycott
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam arrived in Pakistan on Sunday ahead of a key International Cricket Council meeting related to Pakistan’s boycott of the high-profile group-stage match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCP) President Mr Aminul Islam being received at the Lahore Airport by Mr Salman Naseer and others۔ pic.twitter.com/LrMbaiJlNb
— Amir Mir (@AmirMirpcb) February 8, 2026
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Sources said that during his stay, the BCB chief will take part in an emergency ICC meeting scheduled to be held later in the day, with representatives from other cricket boards also expected to attend. Aminul Islam is also set to meet Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi before returning to Dhaka.
An ICC delegation led by its deputy chairman is also likely to arrive in Pakistan on Sunday. The delegation is expected to hold discussions with PCB officials regarding Pakistan’s decision to skip the February 15 match against India, which is scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka under the tournament’s hybrid hosting model.
The development follows an announcement from Pakistan’s official X handle stating that the Men in Green would not take the field for the February 15 clash. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later linked the decision to the controversy involving Bangladesh, describing the boycott as a gesture of solidarity.
Bangladesh were removed from the T20 World Cup and replaced by Scotland after the ICC could not agree to their request that all matches be played outside India. The request was reportedly made following the removal of Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Bangladesh squad after directions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, amid concerns related to atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the ICC has reportedly asked the PCB to explain what measures it took to mitigate the Force Majeure situation, a requirement under the Members Participation Agreement. The global governing body is also believed to have outlined the detailed conditions under which Force Majeure can be legitimately invoked, including the evidentiary threshold for non-participation and the possible sporting, commercial and governance implications of such a decision.
The ICC has informed the PCB of the potential material and financial damage that could be incurred if the India-Pakistan match does not go ahead. While the ICC does not want a confrontation, its constitution allows it to consider steps such as suspension or termination of membership in the event of a serious breach of obligations.
The PCB, however, believes it has a strong case if the issue escalates. The board has reportedly referred to an earlier dispute with the BCCI that was taken to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee over an alleged failure to honour a 2014 memorandum of understanding to play six bilateral series between 2013 and 2015. Although the PCB lost its claim for damages in that case, it maintains that the Indian government’s refusal to grant permission for the series sets a precedent supporting Pakistan’s current position.
At present, both sides remain engaged in back-channel talks. ICC directors Imran Khwaja and Mubashir Usmani are continuing discussions with the PCB in an effort to resolve the deadlock. Neither the ICC nor the PCB has issued an official statement on the matter so far.
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