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  "path": "/news/1971869/icc-pcb-officials-meet-in-lahore-to-discuss-pakistans-boycotted-match-with-india-on-feb-15",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-08T16:53:13.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.dawn.com",
  "tags": [
    "Pakistan",
    "ICC Men’s T20 World Cup",
    "refused",
    "replaced",
    "remained firm",
    "rejected",
    "request",
    "_gave its cricket team the nod_",
    "told",
    "reported",
    "_asked_",
    "_economic meltdown_",
    "_edged out the Netherlands_",
    "_consult_"
  ],
  "textContent": "A meeting between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials was held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday to discuss Pakistan’s boycotted T20 World Cup match with India on February 15.\n\nSources, however, say that the two sides will most likely announce the outcome of the meeting after receiving an endorsement from the Government of Pakistan.\n\n> \n\nICC Deputy Chair Imran Khawaja landed in Lahore on Sunday to meet PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, while Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam also separately arrived in Lahore to partake in the meetings.\n\nConfirming Khawaja’s arrival in a post on X, the PCB said the ICC official was greeted by Amir Mir, an adviser to the PCB chief, at the Lahore airport.\n\n> \n\nAccording to an earlier PCB press release, the BCB president will also meet with Naqvi.\n\nIslam was welcomed at the airport by Pakistan Super League (PSL) CEO Salman Naseer — also an adviser to the PCB chairman — and other officials.\n\n> \n\nThe high-level visits come a day after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup commenced.\n\nThe 20-team tournament has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up after Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing security concerns, were replaced by Scotland.\n\nBangladesh remained firm on not taking part in the event after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected their request to move their matches to Sri Lanka.\n\nAfter mulling its stance over the arising situation, Pakistan _gave its cricket team the nod_ to participate in the World Cup, but said the Green Shirts would not play their match with arch-rivals India, scheduled to be held in Colombo.\n\nIn response to the development even before the official communication from the PCB, the ICC in a statement said the position of “selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule”.\n\nIt expressed the hope that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of.\n\n“The ICC’s priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which should also be the responsibility of all its members including the PCB. It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders,” the ICC stated.\n\nA government source told _Dawn_ at the time that Pakistan had refused to play against India to express solidarity with Bangladesh, who had been dropped from the tournament after refusing to play in India, which is one of the co-hosts of the ICC T20 World Cup.\n\nAccording to the government source, the primary reason for boycotting the match with India was the ICC’s “biased decision” towards Bangladesh.\n\n“The government of Pakistan wanted to show solidarity with Bangladesh. Therefore, as a protest, the national team was restricted from playing its match with India scheduled for February 15,” the source added.\n\nAny clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrative in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue.\n\nIt was reported earlier this week that ICC had initiated back-channel efforts to resolve the issue and avoid significant financial losses.\n\nSri Lanka’s cricket board _asked_ Pakistan to reconsider the decision to boycott the match with India.\n\nSri Lanka Cricket (SLC) told the PCB that a boycott would result in a financial hit and also hurt the island’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the 2022 _economic meltdown_.\n\nPakistan, who _edged out the Netherlands_ in the tournament opener on Saturday, will lose two points if they forfeit the match and also suffer a significant blow to their net run rate.\n\nSkipper Salman Agha has stated that if Pakistan were to face India in a semi-final or final, they would again _consult_ the government.",
  "title": "ICC, PCB officials meet in Lahore to discuss Pakistan’s boycotted match with India on Feb 15"
}