ICC Seeks Explanation From PCB Over Force Majeure Claim for India Match Boycott
The International Cricket Council has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to formally explain its decision to invoke the ‘Force Majeure’ clause while boycotting the high-profile ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, according to a report by ESPNCricinfo.
As per the report, the ICC received an email from the PCB citing government directives as the reason behind Pakistan’s decision not to play the fixture. The boycott was announced less than ten days before the start of the tournament, even though the match was part of the hybrid hosting model approved earlier. Discussions between the ICC and PCB are ongoing, with the global governing body aiming to find a workable resolution.
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Force Majeure is a legal provision that allows a party to be excused from fulfilling contractual obligations due to unforeseen circumstances beyond its control. While commonly associated with events such as natural disasters or war, the ICC’s participation agreement for its events also recognises government orders as a valid ground under this clause.
Pakistan officially announced its decision through its X handle, stating that the national team would not take the field for the February 15 clash. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later linked the boycott to Pakistan’s stance on Bangladesh, describing it as an act of solidarity after Bangladesh was excluded from the tournament.
Bangladesh were removed from the T20 World Cup and replaced by Scotland after the ICC could not agree to Bangladesh’s request that all their matches be played outside India. This situation followed the removal of Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Bangladesh squad after instructions from the BCCI, amid reports of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.
The ICC has reportedly asked the PCB to clarify what steps it took to mitigate the Force Majeure situation, a requirement under the Members Participation Agreement. The governing body is also understood to have outlined the strict conditions under which Force Majeure can be legitimately invoked, including the level of evidence required for non-participation and the sporting, commercial and governance consequences of such a decision.
The ICC has informed the PCB about the potential material and commercial damage that could arise if the marquee India versus Pakistan match does not take place. While the ICC does not wish to escalate the matter, its constitution allows for measures including suspension or termination of membership in cases of serious breaches of obligations.
From the PCB’s perspective, officials believe they have a strong legal argument if the issue becomes contentious. The board has reportedly referred to an earlier dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India that was taken to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee. That case involved allegations that the BCCI failed to honour a 2014 memorandum of understanding to play six bilateral series between 2013 and 2015. Although the PCB lost its claim for damages, it maintains that the Indian government’s refusal to grant permission for the series sets a precedent supporting Pakistan’s current stance.
At present, both sides remain engaged in back-channel talks. ICC directors Imran Khwaja and Mubashir Usmani are said to be in continuous dialogue with PCB officials in an effort to break the deadlock. Neither the ICC nor the PCB has issued an official public statement on the issue so far.
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