Key points
- Visit amid T20 World Cup controversy
- Pakistan refusing India match in protest
- ICC seeks resolution to avoid fallout
ISLAMABAD: International Cricket Council (ICC) Deputy Chair Imran Khawaja and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul arrived separately in Lahore on Sunday, ahead of scheduled meetings with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja is received at the Lahore Airport by Advisor to PCB Chairman Amir Mir pic.twitter.com/eZtXKyD5wW
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) February 8, 2026
Confirming Khawaja’s arrival in a post on X, the PCB said the ICC official would meet Naqvi, who also holds the portfolio of interior minister. Khawaja was received at Lahore airport by Amir Mir, an adviser to the PCB chairman.
An earlier PCB press release said BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul is also set to hold talks with Naqvi. Islam was welcomed on arrival by Pakistan Super League (PSL) chief executive Salman Naseer, who is also an adviser to the PCB chairman, along with other officials.
The high-profile visits come a day after the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, a 20-team tournament that has been marred by political controversy. Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland after refusing to play in India over security concerns. The BCB had sought to have their matches moved to Sri Lanka, but the ICC rejected the request, prompting Bangladesh to withdraw.
Official communication
After reviewing the situation, Pakistan allowed its team to take part in the World Cup but decided it would not play its scheduled match against arch-rivals India in Colombo.
Responding even before official communication from the PCB, the ICC said that “selective participation” was incompatible with the principles of a global event in which all qualified teams are expected to compete under the agreed schedule.
The ICC urged the PCB to consider the broader and long-term consequences for cricket in Pakistan and the wider global ecosystem, stressing that the successful delivery of the tournament was a shared responsibility of all member boards.
Back-channel efforts
Matches between India and Pakistan are among the most lucrative in the sport, generating millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue. The ICC has reportedly begun back-channel efforts to resolve the issue and limit financial losses.
Sri Lanka Cricket has also urged Pakistan to reconsider, warning that a boycott could cause financial damage and harm Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which is still recovering from the 2022 economic crisis.
Pakistan, who beat the Netherlands in their tournament opener on Saturday, stand to lose two points and suffer a major net run-rate setback if they forfeit the match. Captain Salman Agha has said the government would again be consulted should Pakistan meet India in the semi-finals or final.
