PCB chairman meets PM Sharif amid Pakistan-India T20 World Cup uncertainty

The fate of the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 fixture, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, remains uncertain after the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today to discuss the ongoing boycott controversy .

The PCB chairman described his briefing with the Prime Minister as “productive” , stating that he updated Sharif on negotiations with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) . He confirmed that the Prime Minister instructed the PCB to “keep all options on the table” regarding the high-profile match.

Sources close to the PCB chairman said the briefing included a specific request from BCB President Amin ul Islam to withdraw Pakistan’s boycott in order to prevent further destabilization of the tournament. The PCB chairman also reportedly outlined three key conditions for reconsidering the boycott with the ICC: a higher revenue share from the India-Pakistan fixture, resumption of bilateral cricket ties between the two countries, and restoration of the handshake protocol between Indian and Pakistani players.

The final, binding decision from the government is still awaited .

The controversy follows Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament over security concerns in India. Pakistan’s initial solidarity stance and proposed boycott have drawn global attention, given the match’s high stakes in terms of sporting significance, financial implications, and international cricket diplomacy.

The ICC has already warned that if Pakistan proceeds with the boycott, it could face financial penalties, legal claims, and disciplinary action, including withholding of revenue, compensation to broadcasters, and sporting consequences such as a walkover against India. The governing body emphasized that such steps would undermine the tournament’s integrity and could trigger further sanctions.

While Pakistan’s other group-stage matches against the Netherlands, USA, and Namibia remain unaffected, the India clash continues to hang in the balance, leaving fans and cricket authorities awaiting a final decision.