ISLAMABAD: A high-level International Cricket Council delegation is set to meet Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi today in an effort to resolve the deadlock over the India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, sources privy to the matter told Pakistan TV Digital.
The much-anticipated match between the arch-rivals, one of cricket’s most commercially significant fixtures, remains uncertain after the Pakistan government directed the national team not to take the field against India in Colombo. The game is scheduled for Feb. 15 and carries major financial and competitive implications.
The 20-team tournament has already faced political complications, with Bangladesh refusing to play in India over security concerns, leading to their replacement by Scotland. Following this, Pakistan’s government barred the national side from participating in the high-profile Group A encounter against co-hosts India.
Pakistan opened their World Cup campaign with a win over the Netherlands on Feb. 7. However, skipping the India match would cost them two crucial points and deal a serious blow to their net run rate.
According to sources, the ICC delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, is expected in Lahore around 4 p.m. They will meet PCB leadership and senior officials to explore a possible resolution.
Earlier, Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam arrived in Lahore to meet his PCB counterpart. He may also join the talks, highlighting the issue's regional dimension.
The cricket governing body has tasked Khwaja with persuading PCB officials to reconsider Pakistan’s stance, as the governing body seeks a compromise to ensure the blockbuster encounter goes ahead as planned.
The outcome of today’s discussions could significantly impact the tournament and set a precedent for managing politically sensitive fixtures in international cricket.
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