ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam and International Cricket Council (ICC) Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday as talks continued over Pakistan’s refusal to play India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The meeting was week after the Pakistan government formally announced that the national team would participate in the tournament but would not take the field against India in the February 15 Group A match in Colombo.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15, 2026, against India,” the government said in a statement posted on its official X account.

Pakistan opened their World Cup campaign with a victory over the Netherlands on February 7.

According to sources, the ICC delegation led by Khwaja arrived in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore around 4 pm to meet PCB leadership and senior officials in an effort to find a way forward. Aminul Islam’s presence in the discussions highlighted broader regional concerns surrounding the tournament.

The ICC has urged the Pakistan board to reconsider its position. “We hope the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications of this decision and explore a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders,” the statement said.

The controversy follows an earlier disruption to the tournament after Bangladesh refused to play matches in India over security concerns. The ICC subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after rejecting Dhaka’s request to relocate its fixtures to co-host Sri Lanka.

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Pakistan, Bangladesh chiefs meet ICC official over India T20 World Cup match