The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup, scheduled for Sunday, February 15, could still go ahead, according to a report by The Times of India. Discussions between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly shown positive progress.
As per the report, ICC representatives Imran Khawaja and Mubashir Usmani arrived in Lahore on Sunday morning to hold talks with PCB officials. These discussions come after earlier reports suggested that negotiations had been ongoing since the Pakistan government decided to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India, which is set to be played in Colombo.
The ICC has asked Pakistan to explain how the ‘Force Majeure’ clause could be used to justify the team’s refusal to play against India. This came after the PCB stated that the decision was taken by the government. However, no detailed explanation or supporting justification was provided. In response, the ICC has sought clarity on what steps were taken by the PCB to resolve the situation, in line with the tournament’s Terms of Participation.
Pakistan chose to boycott the match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland after refusing to travel to India for World Cup matches, citing security concerns. While the Pakistan government allowed the national team to take part in the T20 World Cup, it barred them from playing against India.
The India-Pakistan fixture is considered the biggest commercial attraction for the ICC and a major draw for broadcasters worldwide. The decision to boycott the match led Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to write to the PCB, warning that the cancellation of the February 15 clash would result in significant financial losses for SLC and damage the image of the tournament in Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the event with India.
Meanwhile, Pakistan are set to play all their World Cup matches in Colombo and Pallekele. They will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on Saturday, February 7.
