The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday to seek government approval for participating in its high-profile ICC T20 World Cup match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
The meeting comes amid growing uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the marquee fixture, after the PCB announced a boycott earlier this month.
The board is likely to clarify its position in the next 24 hours, following an extended round of discussions with senior International Cricket Council (ICC) officials in Lahore on Saturday.
The marathon meeting, held at Gaddafi Stadium, lasted more than five hours and was attended by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam. With the match less than a week away, the ICC is keen to resolve the issue swiftly to avoid disruption to the tournament’s most anticipated match.
The PCB’s boycott announcement on February 2 significantly escalated tensions and prompted urgent negotiations with the ICC.
According to reports, the PCB has put forth several demands as conditions for playing the match. These include an increased share of ICC revenues, the restoration of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan, and strict enforcement of match-day protocols, including customary pre- and post-match handshakes between players.
Sources indicate that the PCB believes these measures are essential to ensure fairness and parity within the global cricketing framework.
Meanwhile, the ICC is yet to open ticket sales for the India-Pakistan clash.
India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match likely? PCB to consult PM Shehbaz Sharif
