ICC delegation due in Pakistan to resolve India match deadlock

A delegation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to arrive in Pakistan within hours to address the uncertainty surrounding the scheduled Pakistan-India match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, well-placed sources told Business Recorder.

According to sources, the ICC has assigned its vice chairman a specific task to engage with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and seek a consensus on the high-profile fixture.

The ICC vice chairman will hold meetings in Lahore with the PCB chairman and senior board officials, as the global governing body attempts to revive the Pakistan-India clash, one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches.

Sources said the ICC has instructed its vice chairman to hold direct talks with PCB leadership in an effort to break the impasse and find common ground on the issue.

The visit aims to avert the risk of a boycott of the scheduled match and to promote cooperation between the two cricket boards at the world’s biggest T20 tournament.

Read More: BCB chief in Pakistan to attend key meetings

During the meetings, all aspects of the issue are expected to be discussed in detail, sources added.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam also arrived in Lahore and is expected to participate in an emergency meeting involving the PCB and the ICC.

Sources said Aminul Islam will hold separate meetings with senior PCB officials, while the overall situation of the T20 World Cup will also come under discussion.

During his stay, discussions are expected to cover bilateral cricket relations, potential future series, and ways to strengthen cooperation between the Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket boards.

Aminul Islam is also likely to attend an ICC meeting online alongside PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

According to sources, the BCB president is scheduled to return to Dhaka later this evening. His visit to Lahore is being viewed as significant for enhancing cricketing ties between the two countries.

The controversy traces back to the release of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman by Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, reportedly following pressure from extremist Hindu groups in India. Following the incident, Bangladesh raised security concerns and requested the ICC to shift all of its T20 World Cup matches out of India.

The ICC rejected the request and subsequently excluded Bangladesh from the tournament, replacing them with Scotland. Pakistan Cricket Board publicly backed Bangladesh’s stance and later announced its decision to boycott the World Cup match against India.

On February 1, the Pakistan government allowed the national team to participate in the T20 World Cup but decided that Pakistan would not play the match scheduled against India on February 15 in Colombo.