Shehbaz Sharif Likely to Take Final Call on India Match After ICC Talks with Pakistan Conclude: Report

Pakistan’s position on the highly sensitive India vs Pakistan clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is expected to become clear within the next 24 hours, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif likely to take the final call after being briefed on high-level discussions held with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Lahore, according to media reports.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), following a marathon meeting with senior ICC representatives, is reportedly preparing to formally communicate its explanation for the proposed boycott of the February 15 group-stage encounter against India. The match, scheduled to be played in Colombo, is widely regarded as the most high-profile fixture of the tournament.

The developments come amid mounting pressure on Pakistan to resolve the standoff, with the World Cup already underway and global attention firmly fixed on the fate of cricket’s most-watched rivalry.

The closed-door meeting, held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, lasted over five hours and involved PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam. Sources familiar with the talks indicated a strong sense of urgency, with the ICC keen to avoid uncertainty surrounding a match that underpins the tournament’s commercial and broadcast framework.

According to those briefed on the matter, the PCB is now expected to consult Pakistan’s federal government before finalising its position. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to be apprised of the discussions, underlining the political sensitivity of the decision and its implications beyond the cricket field.

Mohsin Naqvi is anticipated to address the media shortly, and officials believe that clarity on Pakistan’s participation in the marquee clash could emerge soon after.

Why the ICC-PCB Meeting Was Crucial

The emergency talks in Lahore were convened after the PCB announced on February 2 that it was considering boycotting its scheduled group-stage match against India. The move sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, prompting swift intervention from the ICC just days before the February 15 fixture.

With the World Cup less than a week into its schedule, the ICC has been working to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown crisis that could disrupt match planning, sponsorship agreements, and governance processes.

The presence of Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam at the meeting added another layer of complexity. His arrival in Lahore only hours before the talks suggested coordination among member boards, and sources indicate that Bangladesh and Pakistan have since aligned their positions following ICC-led mediation.

Indian Cricket authorities, according to sources, have been kept informed of these developments, as the ICC attempts to build consensus among stakeholders.

Why the India vs Pakistan Match Matters to the ICC

From the ICC’s perspective, the stakes surrounding the India-Pakistan clash extend far beyond sporting rivalry. The fixture is the single biggest revenue generator in international cricket, commanding unparalleled global viewership and driving sponsorship, advertising, and broadcast revenues.

Broadcasters pay premium rates largely on the strength of marquee contests like India vs Pakistan. Any withdrawal by Pakistan would significantly devalue the ICC’s television rights package, with ripple effects across the tournament’s financial ecosystem.

Reduced revenues would ultimately impact annual distributions to member boards, including Pakistan itself, as well as Bangladesh, India, and other cricketing nations that rely heavily on ICC funding.

For these reasons, ICC officials are understood to have impressed upon the PCB the broader consequences of a boycott, while stopping short of issuing any public ultimatum.

As the clock continues to tick, the next 24 hours are expected to be decisive. Whether cricket’s most intense rivalry takes center stage or becomes the tournament’s most conspicuous absence may now rest with Pakistan’s political leadership.