New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has enlisted its Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja to conduct discreet back-channel talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a bid to resolve the escalating standoff over Pakistan’s decision to boycott their T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India.
According to reports citing Revsportz, Khwaja — representing the Singapore Cricket Association and viewed as a neutral figure within the ICC — has been tasked with persuading the PCB to reverse its stance and ensure the high-voltage clash on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, goes ahead as scheduled. The ICC has yet to receive any official communication from the PCB explaining the boycott, despite Pakistan confirming participation in the tournament overall.
The controversy erupted after the Pakistani government announced on Sunday that the national team would travel to neutral venues in Sri Lanka but would not face arch-rivals India, reportedly due to political directives. This selective participation has raised alarms at the ICC, which warned that such a move could breach tournament commitments and expose the PCB to severe repercussions, including potential legal action from official broadcaster JioStar and withholding of Pakistan’s annual revenue share — estimated at around $35 million (approximately ₹300 crore)— as compensation.
Sources close to the PCB indicate that Chairman Mohsin Naqvi sought legal counsel before briefing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the board is bracing for financial and disciplinary fallout. Critics note that India’s refusal to play bilateral series in Pakistan has not extended to neutral venues in past Asia Cups or ICC events, weakening Pakistan’s position further.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 set to get underway and the marquee fixture just days away, all eyes are on Khwaja’s diplomatic efforts to avert a major crisis that could disrupt the tournament’s integrity and global appeal.