Key points
- Pakistan refuses to play India match
- Clash scheduled February 15 in Sri Lanka
- Government decision follows Sharif–Naqvi talks
DUBAI: The International Cricket Council has called an emergency board meeting after Pakistan said it would not play India in a scheduled T20 World Cup group match in Sri Lanka, citing a government decision that has triggered fresh tensions with cricket’s global governing body.
The highly anticipated Pakistan–India clash is due to take place on February 15 in Sri Lanka. However, the Government of Pakistan announced on Sunday that while the national team has been permitted to participate in the tournament, it will not take the field against India.
The decision came after a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Pakistani officials say the decision reflects longstanding concerns over fairness in ICC processes, after Naqvi criticised what he termed “double standards”, particularly in recent rulings linked to the handling of Bangladesh’s venue concerns and other scheduling decisions involving India.
The ICC said it is still awaiting formal communication from the PCB but expressed strong concern that selective participation contradicts the principles of a global sporting event and undermines the integrity of the competition.
While acknowledging governments’ roles in national policy, the ICC urged the PCB to reconsider and seek a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.
The crisis comes amid growing PCB dissatisfaction with recent ICC decisions, including the replacement of Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament schedule.
