PCB, ICC talks conclude; PM’s advice sought on India match
After ICC request, PCB leadership was set to seek political clearance as Mohsin Naqvi planned consultations with PM Shehbaz over a sensitive international decision
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
LAHORE: A meeting between senior officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) was concluded in Lahore to discuss Pakistan’s decision to skip its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. The board said that Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam was also present at the meeting.
Sources claimed that the possible breakthrough has been reached as Pakistan Cricket Board agreed to consult the issue again with the government and Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for further advice. They claimed that the ICC has also requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board to motivate Pakistan to play the upcoming Pakistan-India T20 World Cup fixture.
Sources said the PCB chairman, at the ICC’s request, had decided to consult Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over Pakistan’s decision to boycott the match against India. A meeting between the prime minister and the PCB chief was expected within two days. The sources said Naqvi would seek the government’s guidance in response to the ICC’s request. The final decision on whether Pakistan would play the India match would rest with the prime minister, the sources added.
Earlier, Khwaja arrived in Lahore for talks with the PCB chairman after Pakistan announced it would boycott the February 15 fixture against India. Before that, the BCB president had arrived in Pakistan and later held a separate meeting with Naqvi. During that meeting, Islam thanked Pakistan for supporting Bangladesh in its dispute with the ICC over the tournament.
Matches between arch-rivals India and Pakistan are among the most lucrative in world cricket. They generate millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue. In commercial terms, the overall value of a single India-Pakistan T20 match is estimated at around $500 million, or roughly INR45,000 crore.
According to reports, advertising slots during an India-Pakistan T20 match cost between INR25 lakh and INR40 lakh for a 10-second spot. These rates are significantly higher than even knockout matches involving India against other leading teams. Advertising revenue from the India-Pakistan match alone is estimated at around INR300 crore, industry projections cited by Indian media suggest.
After ICC request, PCB leadership was set to seek political clearance as Mohsin Naqvi planned consultations with PM Shehbaz over a sensitive international decision
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
LAHORE: A meeting between senior officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) was concluded in Lahore to discuss Pakistan’s decision to skip its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. The board said that Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam was also present at the meeting.
Sources claimed that the possible breakthrough has been reached as Pakistan Cricket Board agreed to consult the issue again with the government and Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for further advice. They claimed that the ICC has also requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board to motivate Pakistan to play the upcoming Pakistan-India T20 World Cup fixture.
Sources said the PCB chairman, at the ICC’s request, had decided to consult Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over Pakistan’s decision to boycott the match against India. A meeting between the prime minister and the PCB chief was expected within two days. The sources said Naqvi would seek the government’s guidance in response to the ICC’s request. The final decision on whether Pakistan would play the India match would rest with the prime minister, the sources added.
Earlier, Khwaja arrived in Lahore for talks with the PCB chairman after Pakistan announced it would boycott the February 15 fixture against India. Before that, the BCB president had arrived in Pakistan and later held a separate meeting with Naqvi. During that meeting, Islam thanked Pakistan for supporting Bangladesh in its dispute with the ICC over the tournament.
Matches between arch-rivals India and Pakistan are among the most lucrative in world cricket. They generate millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue. In commercial terms, the overall value of a single India-Pakistan T20 match is estimated at around $500 million, or roughly INR45,000 crore.
According to reports, advertising slots during an India-Pakistan T20 match cost between INR25 lakh and INR40 lakh for a 10-second spot. These rates are significantly higher than even knockout matches involving India against other leading teams. Advertising revenue from the India-Pakistan match alone is estimated at around INR300 crore, industry projections cited by Indian media suggest.
