Following a marathon five-hour meeting at the Gaddafi Stadium involving the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the global governing body has delivered a firm response to the conditions set by Pakistan.
The PCB’s Three-Point Ultimatum
To end the impasse triggered by the Pakistan government's "no-play" directive, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi presented three primary demands to ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja:
Increased Revenue Share: A higher percentage of the ICC’s annual revenue, citing the massive commercial value Pakistan-India matches bring to the global game.
Resumption of Bilateral Ties: A formal commitment to restart bilateral series between India and Pakistan, which have been suspended since 2013.
On-Field Sportsmanship Protocol: A mandate for a "handshake protocol" to ensure professional courtesy, following claims that Indian players avoided post-match handshakes during the 2025 Asia Cup.
The "Bangladesh Factor" and ICC's Stern Reply In an act of solidarity after Bangladesh was excluded from the tournament following their refusal to play in India, the PCB also advocated for financial relief for the BCB. These secondary demands included direct compensation, participation fees despite their ouster, and future tournament hosting rights.
However, the ICC has remained firm. According to reports from The Dawn, the ICC delegation stated they have "nothing to offer to Bangladesh as compensation" beyond ensuring they receive their standard full share of ICC earnings.
The world body reportedly advised the PCB to move such grievances to the ICC Arbitration Committee rather than using the World Cup schedule as a bargaining chip.
Heavy Sanctions and "Force Majeure" Scrutiny The ICC has warned the PCB of severe consequences if the boycott proceeds, including:
Massive Financial Penalties: Forfeiting the match could cost the PCB millions in tournament revenue and potential membership suspension.
Net Run Rate (NRR) Hit: A forfeit would result in a significant blow to Pakistan's standing in the points table.
Legal Hurdles: The ICC has challenged the PCB to prove how they attempted to mitigate the "government instruction" before invoking the Force Majeure clause, which the ICC insists cannot be used selectively for a single match.
Final Verdict Expected Within 48 Hours Despite the stern tone from the ICC, insiders suggest a resolution is likely. While Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains publicly defiant, many within the PCB are leaning toward participation to safeguard Pakistan's long-term cricketing interests.
The final decision now rests with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Naqvi is scheduled to meet the Premier today to present the ICC’s feedback. A formal announcement regarding the February 15 fixture is expected by the end of the week.
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