ICC has stepped in after the Pakistan government reportedly directed the national cricket team not to play its group-stage match against India at the T20 World Cup 2026.
The highly anticipated match is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo and is considered one of the biggest fixtures of the tournament.
According to reports, ICC chairman Jay Shah has asked deputy chairman Imran Khwaja to handle the matter through quiet discussions with PCB. Khwaja is seen as a neutral and experienced official within the ICC and has been trusted with leading talks to ease the situation and find a workable solution.
The issue began after a government statement in Pakistan reportedly allowed the team to take part in the World Cup but excluded the match against India.
Sources say this decision was made as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh, though no detailed explanation was officially shared. The move created concern within the ICC, as it raised questions about fairness and consistency in international competitions.
In response, the ICC made it clear that teams cannot choose which matches they want to play in global tournaments. Officials stressed that selective participation goes against the spirit, rules, and integrity of international cricket events, where all teams are expected to compete under the same conditions.
The ICC is now working behind the scenes to prevent the issue from affecting the tournament schedule or creating further tensions between cricket boards. Analysts believe the outcome of these discussions could have a wider impact on how political concerns are handled in future sporting events.
For now, all eyes remain on the talks, as fans and officials wait to see whether the match will go ahead as planned.
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