The International Cricket Council ICC asked deputy chairman Imran Khwaja to conduct secret negotiations with the Pakistan Cricket Board over its T20 World Cup 2026 position according to Revsportz. Khwaja who represents the Singapore Cricket Association received the task to persuade Pakistan to compete in their group stage game against India which takes place on February 15. Pakistan declared on Sunday that they will participate in the T20 World Cup but they will not play their match against India. The ICC has not received any official communication from the PCB regarding the subject and Khawaja will reportedly try to ‘play the peacemaker’ amid the ongoing standoff.
The ICC has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board that it faces the prospect of legal action from T20 World Cup’s official broadcasters JioStar for boycotting its February 15 game against India according to a PCB source who spoke on Tuesday.
Pakistan decided to boycott the match in Colombo on February 15 because their government ordered it but they have not yet provided their official reasons to ICC.
As reported by PTI the ICC will probably withhold Pakistan’s total annual revenue share which amounts to approximately USD 35 million and they will use that amount to pay the broadcasters.
A PCB source informed that chairman Mohsin Naqvi received legal guidance from the board’s legal experts before he presented the matter to PM Shehbaz Sharif last week but the board expects to face severe repercussions.
A PCB source told PTI that Pakistan will face severe consequences because they refused to play India as their financial penalties will include broadcaster lawsuits and their ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) attempts will most likely end in failure.
TheICC DRC functions as an internal committee which handles disputes between its board members and other parties who wish to appeal its determinations.
The PCB will encounter challenges because their government forbids them from playing India while their matches will occur at a neutral venue which they selected in Sri Lanka.
The board source who tracks Naqvi closely said that the Indian government has not authorized its team to compete in Pakistan yet it has approved their participation in Pakistan matches which will take place at neutral sites during the Asia Cup and ICC events after the May conflict.
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