Pakistan Tells ICC, Willing To End 'India Boycott' In T20 World Cup. But Has 3 Demands

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put forward three demands to end its ongoing impasse with the International Cricket Council (ICC), according to NDTV sources. Pakistan had earlier decided to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 clash against arch-rivals India, despite being warned by the ICC regarding the potential consequences. According to sources, the PCB placed three demands to break the deadlock during a meeting with ICC officials in Lahore on Sunday: (1) increased compensation for Bangladesh, (2) a participation fee for Bangladesh despite its T20 World Cup ouster, and (3) hosting rights for a future ICC event.

1. Increased compensation for Bangladesh: Bangladesh is seeking a higher financial share from the ICC to reflect its growing contribution to global cricket. The board argues that enhanced funding is essential for improving infrastructure, talent development, and the national team's competitive standards.

2. Participation fee despite T20 World Cup ouster:  Even though Bangladesh exited early, the board wants the ICC to grant a guaranteed participation fee. They argue that teams invest heavily in preparation and deserve baseline financial security regardless of tournament performance.

3. Hosting rights for a future ICC event: Bangladesh is pushing for the opportunity to host an upcoming ICC tournament to boost its cricket economy and global visibility. The board believes the country now has the facilities and fan support necessary to successfully stage a major international event.

Mohsin Naqvi To Meet Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif

Sources also revealed that while some PCB officials are open to playing the match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, board chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains uncooperative on the matter. Naqvi is set to meet with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday to consult him once again before a final decision is reached.

The ICC removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup last month following its refusal to travel to India, citing security concerns. Despite the ICC's assurance that there was no verifiable threat to the team, the BCB maintained its stance, forcing the ICC to replace them with Scotland.

Since then, Pakistan has thrown its weight behind Bangladesh. In addition to the ICC meeting, Naqvi and other PCB officials held a dialogue with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam Bulbul regarding the impasse.

This sudden change in tone follows the ICC's request for an explanation on how the force majeure clause could justify a refusal to play, especially after the PCB attempted to shift responsibility onto its government.

The controversy began when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), backed by the country's interim government, refused to send its national team to India for its group-stage games, citing security concerns.

Meanwhile, Pakistan survived a major scare against the Netherlands in the tournament-opener, beating the Dutch by three wickets in Colombo on Saturday.

Topics mentioned in this article

Pakistan Cricket Team Bangladesh Cricket Team International Cricket Council Cricket T20 World Cup 2026