PCB keeps ICC in the dark on T20 World Cup India match boycott, won’t write officially: Report

The T20 World Cup row continues as Pakistan has clarified its stance on its participation in the tournament. While the team will take part in the T20 World Cup, it will not play the high-profile match against India scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.

The decision was announced through the Pakistani government’s official social media handles, stating that the team “shall not take the field” for the specific fixture.

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Adding another twist, reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not willing to officially convey this decision to the International Cricket Council (ICC) at the moment.

According to Telecom Asia Sport, the PCB has chosen to remain on the warpath over the boycott issue and will not communicate the decision formally to the ICC in order to maintain suspense over its next course of action. The report quoted sources as saying there is no need for an official letter since the decision has already been communicated through a government platform.

“Since it’s a government decision and conveyed through an official platform, there is no need to write to the ICC,” sources told www.telecomasia.net.

On Sunday, the Shehbaz Sharif government confirmed that Pakistan will participate in the T20 World Cup, hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. However, it reiterated that the team will not take the field against India, a fixture widely regarded as the tournament’s biggest revenue generator. The boycott could reportedly result in advertising losses estimated between Rs 200 and 250 crore.

A PCB source further questioned the need for written communication, pointing to India’s past stance.

“Did India at any point convey to the ICC that they will not travel to Pakistan? And when it was demanded that India show a government letter, they never showed it. So is there a need to give anything in writing? No,” the source told Telecom Asia Sport.

The PCB’s refusal to formally notify the ICC is being seen as a deliberate attempt to keep the issue alive. With the decision coming directly from the government, the Board appears unwilling to consider any ICC appeal or compromise solution to avoid the boycott.

The move has sent shockwaves through the cricket world, as the ICC could face a massive financial hit if the highly anticipated clash does not take place, a situation that could also lead to legal proceedings.

In response, the ICC reportedly warned the PCB that selective participation would not be accepted, stating it undermines the integrity of the sport. The Board could face serious consequences if it refuses to play the fixture.

However, Telecom Asia Sport reported that the Pakistan government has already taken legal advice on the potential fallout and is expected to back the PCB against any possible ICC action.

The report also stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met former PCB chief Najam Sethi before meeting current chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore on Sunday.

“Sethi also advised the PM to take strong action against India, as under Sethi’s chairmanship India also backed out on an agreement in 2016,” the report quoted sources as saying.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team flew to Colombo on Monday and reached the island late in the evening.

The PCB is also reportedly preparing to confront the ICC head-on, with Naqvi expected to insist on legal representation during any ICC meetings. Sources added that the Board will allow a lawyer to accompany its officials in discussions, indicating it is ready to take the issue to the next level.