ICC in Damage Control: Mediators Placate Pakistan Amid India Boycott Threat for T20 World Cup

• The ICC is using Singaporean and UAE administrators to negotiate with the PCB to ensure the India vs Pakistan match proceeds as planned on February 15 in Colombo.
• Pakistan's government announced a boycott of India in the T20 World Cup 2026, citing the ICC's removal of Bangladesh for refusing to play matches in India.
• ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja and Emirates Cricket Board General Secretary Mubashshir Usmani are in talks with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
• Initially, the ICC threatened legal action and financial penalties, but the PCB, led by Naqvi, stated that financial loss was not a concern.
• Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has urged the PCB to reverse its boycott decision, fearing significant financial and tourism losses for Colombo.