Pakistan ready to play India in T20 World Cup. Only if 3 conditions met: Report
Pakistan have held a high-level meeting with the ICC over their boycott of the India match in the T20 World Cup 2026. According to a report, the PCB has placed three conditions for any U-turn on its stance.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has placed three demands before the International Cricket Council (ICC) if it is to consult its government and explore the possibility of reversing its decision not to play its T20 World Cup match against India on February 15, according to Cricbuzz. Members of the PCB, along with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam Bulbul, met an ICC delegation in Lahore on Sunday to explore an amicable solution, with a focus on ensuring that the India–Pakistan match goes ahead as scheduled.
Among other conditions, Pakistan has reportedly asked for a larger share of the revenue generated by the ICC.
'Three Demands Made By Pakistan To The ICC'
- Increased share in ICC revenue
- Restoration of bilateral cricket with India
- Enforcement of the handshake protocol
The controversy began when the Pakistan government publicly announced that it would not allow the team to play India at the T20 World Cup, despite the fixture being scheduled at a neutral venue. The Shehbaz Sharif-led government did not clearly spell out the reasons behind the boycott of their arch-rivals.
The prevailing assumption in the cricketing world was that Pakistan’s stance was an act of solidarity with Bangladesh, who had pulled out of the tournament after the ICC rejected the BCB’s request to move their matches out of India over security concerns.
The ICC subsequently attempted to negotiate with Pakistan and held a high-level meeting with PCB officials. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta joined the discussions via Zoom, while PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul were present in Lahore.
Cricbuzz further reported that Bangladesh may also seek compensation from the ICC, a settlement that Pakistan is expected to help broker as part of the ongoing negotiations.
What's The Basis Of These 'Demands'?
With the three reported demands, the Pakistan Cricket Board appears to be attempting to strong-arm the ICC. The PCB seemingly believes that the world body is at risk of missing out on a significant chunk of broadcasting revenue if the India–Pakistan match does not go ahead, and that this leverage could force the ICC into conceding to its demands.
Pakistan are currently the fourth-highest earners from ICC revenue distributions. The PCB receives 5.75 per cent of the total revenue generated by the ICC. As per 2023 figures, Pakistan earn USD 34.51 million annually from the ICC, funds that are crucial to sustaining the country’s cricketing ecosystem. Only three boards earn more than the PCB: Cricket Australia (USD 128 million), the England and Wales Cricket Board (USD 139 million), and the BCCI (USD 293 million).
The second demand raised by the PCB is the restoration of bilateral cricket with India, according to Cricbuzz. It remains unclear why this demand has been placed before the ICC, as any decision on bilateral series lies squarely with the governments of the two countries. The ICC, at best, can only act as a mediator and does not have the authority to enforce bilateral engagements.
The third and final demand is linked to the enforcement of a handshake protocol. It comes against the backdrop of India snubbing Pakistan during Asia Cup last year Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India took a firm stance by refusing to shake hands with Pakistani players and support staff, citing the broader context of cross-border terrorism and the prevailing national sentiment at the time.
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