Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to Take Final Decision on India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Match Issue

Web Desk February 9, 2026

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to take the final call on whether Pakistan will go ahead with or continue its boycott of the much-anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, according to reports. The decision is expected after detailed consultations at the highest level amid growing international pressure and ongoing discussions with the International Cricket Council.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi is reportedly scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sharif on Monday to brief him on the outcome of recent talks held with an ICC delegation. These discussions come at a crucial time, with the tournament fast approaching and uncertainty still surrounding one of the marquee fixtures of the World Cup.

Also Read:

On Sunday, an ICC delegation led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja held extensive meetings in Lahore with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam. The talks focused on Pakistan’s decision to boycott the February 15 clash against India and explored possible solutions to resolve the deadlock. Pakistan media reported that the lengthy negotiations have now concluded and that the issue is expected to be resolved through mutual consultation within the next few hours, with a roadmap already finalised among the stakeholders.

The controversy began after the official X handle of the Pakistan government announced that the national team would not take the field for the India match. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later linked the decision to the broader dispute involving Bangladesh, describing Pakistan’s stance as a gesture of solidarity. Bangladesh were subsequently replaced by Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup after their request to play all matches outside India could not be accommodated by the ICC.

The Bangladesh situation itself stemmed from the removal of Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the squad following directions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, citing concerns related to atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. This development added a complex political dimension to the tournament and intensified tensions among the participating boards.

Meanwhile, the ICC has reportedly asked the PCB to explain what concrete steps it took to mitigate the so-called ‘Force Majeure’ situation, as required under the Members Participation Agreement. According to ESPNCricinfo, the PCB had formally informed the ICC via email that government directives were behind its boycott decision, a communication sent less than ten days before the start of the tournament.

The ICC is also understood to have outlined detailed conditions under which ‘Force Majeure’ can be legitimately invoked, along with the evidentiary standards required for non-participation and the potential sporting, commercial and governance implications. The global governing body has reportedly warned the PCB about the significant material damage that could arise if the match does not go ahead, while maintaining that although it prefers dialogue over confrontation, its constitution allows for suspension or termination of membership in the event of a serious breach of obligations.

At the same time, the PCB believes it has a defensible position if the dispute escalates further. The board has cited an earlier PCB-BCCI dispute that went before the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee over a stalled bilateral series. That case revolved around allegations that the BCCI failed to honour a 2014 memorandum of understanding to play six bilateral series between 2013 and 2015. Although the PCB did not succeed in its claim for damages, it maintains that the Indian government’s refusal to grant permission for those series establishes a precedent relevant to the current situation, according to ESPNCricinfo.

Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.