Pakistan urges ICC to help revive bilateral ties with India, raises Asia Cup no-handshake issue: Report

The standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the scheduled T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India appears to be nearing a resolution, with a final decision expected soon.

A two-member ICC delegation — Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja and Associate Members’ representative Mubashir Usmani — arrived in Pakistan on Sunday for talks with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi following Pakistan’s refusal to play India on February 15 in Colombo. According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, the PCB outlined three key conditions to the ICC in order to withdraw its boycott call.

On February 1, just two weeks before the start of the T20 World Cup, the Pakistan government announced that the men’s team would not take the field against India at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. The decision was taken in solidarity with Bangladesh, which was knocked out of the tournament after declining to travel to India.

Sunday’s emergency meeting was also attended by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam, who arrived in Lahore via Karachi earlier in the day. While Pakistan is reportedly inclined to back down, the Telecom Asia Sport report said this would be contingent on certain assurances from the ICC.

Naqvi is understood to have sought an increase in Pakistan’s revenue share from the ICC and assistance in reviving bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan. He also raised the issue of the no-handshake incident during the Asia Cup, stressing that players should observe customary on-field courtesies.

“During the meeting, the PCB chairman presented a few conditions, including an increase in Pakistan’s annual funding, India reviving bilateral series and Indian players shaking hands during India-Pakistan matches,” the publication quoted a source as saying.

Bangladesh’s demands

Bangladesh also placed demands before the ICC, with BCB president Aminul Islam seeking financial compensation and the hosting rights for a future global tournament.

“Bangladesh has demanded monetary compensation from the ICC and hosting rights for one global event, possibly the Under-19 World Cup in 2028,” the source said.

The ICC delegation reportedly assured both boards that their demands would be placed before the ICC Board for consideration.

However, the final decision on whether Pakistan will play India rests with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the original boycott announcement was made by the Pakistan government. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, is expected to meet Sharif within the next 24 to 48 hours, with a verdict likely in the coming days.

Earlier, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had also written to the PCB urging it to reconsider its stance, reminding Pakistan of Sri Lanka’s past support and appealing for reciprocity.