Pakistan Sets Conditions for India Match as PM Shehbaz to Decide
Karachi : The International Cricket Council (ICC) has stepped up efforts to persuade Pakistan to play a high-profile match against India in the T20 World Cup, with sources indicating that Pakistan could agree to the fixture if its conditions are met. However, the final decision rests with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to details, following negotiations with the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to seek further guidance from the government of Pakistan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Sources said the ultimate decision on whether Pakistan will face India in the T20 World Cup will be made by the prime minister, after which significant progress is expected. Pakistan is understood to be in a position to play the match provided its conditions are accepted.
Previously, acting on government instructions, the PCB had decided to participate in the T20 World Cup while declining to play against India. Sources said four hours of talks held in Lahore on Sunday night raised hopes of improvement between the two sides, with a second round of negotiations continuing late into the night.
Sources revealed that the PCB has clearly conveyed to the ICC that the final authority lies with the government of Pakistan. ICC Vice Chairman Imran Khawaja has assured that he will present Pakistan’s position before ICC board members. UAE Cricket Board official Mubashir Usmani also joined the negotiations via video link.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board and the Emirates Cricket Board have both requested Pakistan to reconsider its decision. Sources said that if required, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday to discuss the issue.
Pakistan is expected to place the condition of an increase in its annual revenue before the ICC delegation. Sources clarified that Pakistan did not invite the ICC delegation; rather, the delegation decided on its own to visit Pakistan.
The PCB reiterated its firm stance before Imran Khawaja, as ICC Vice Chairman Imran Khawaja arrived in Lahore on an emergency basis to meet PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in an effort to secure Pakistan’s consent for the India match in the ICC T20 World Cup. During the same period, Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam also arrived in Lahore and held meetings with Mohsin Naqvi and Imran Khawaja.
Following Sri Lanka, the Emirates Cricket Board also contacted Pakistan and requested a review of its decision not to play against India. However, Mohsin Naqvi is expected to consult Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif once again before any final decision is taken.
Sources said the ICC has informed India that it will engage with the Indian board to avoid actions that go against the spirit of the game and to prevent issues such as the handshake controversy from being escalated. Several options were reportedly presented to persuade Pakistan to play the match, while UAE cricket officials also appealed to the PCB to reconsider its stance.
Earlier, the government of Pakistan had refused to allow participation in the match scheduled in Colombo on Sunday, in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam arrived in Lahore to attend an emergency ICC meeting, while an ICC mediation delegation has also reached Pakistan. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi received the ICC delegation at Gaddafi Stadium.
Sources said detailed discussions between the PCB and the ICC delegation will focus on the proposed Pakistan–India match, with the ICC assigning Vice Chairman Imran Khawaja the task of handling negotiations related to the fixture.
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