ICC had an emergency meeting on Sunday with two members of the board, comprising ICC vice-chairman Imran Khawaja and ICC representative Mubashir Usmani, who were in Pakistan to meet PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi to discuss reconsidering their decision not to play the Men in Blue. According to Telecom Asia Sport, PCB has asked for three things from the top body.
India vs Pakistan back on the table
On February 1, the Pakistani government announced its confirmation of participation in the T20 World Cup through a social media post. However, it also said that the men’s team would not take the field against India at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. This decision was taken to show solidarity with Bangladesh and was removed from the competition after refusing to travel to India.
Your daily dose of cricket!
The emergency meeting between Pakistan and the ICC was also attended by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam. According to the reports, Pakistan is expected to withdraw, but the ICC has made specific requests. Not only PCB but Bangladesh has also submitted some requests.
Bangladesh addresses its request to the ICC
According to the source, Bangladesh’s request read: “Bangladesh has also demanded financial compensation from the ICC and from one global event, perhaps the next Under-19 World Cup in 2028.”
The source also read, “During the meeting, the PCB chairman presented to the ICC a few conditions, including an increase in Pakistan’s annual funding, India reviving bilateral series and their players shaking hands in an India-Pakistan match.”
Pakistan ranks fourth in terms of annual revenue, with about $34.5 million, behind India, Australia and England. They have demanded that revenue from the apex body be increased. Apart from this, they have also demanded that the bilateral series between India and Pakistan be resumed.
The final decision is still pending
However, the latter decision rests entirely on the government’s decision as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) controls it. The bilateral series between India and Pakistan was last played in 2013. PCB also demanded that the players shake hands in an India-Pakistan match, which the Men in Blue stopped to show solidarity after the Pahalgam terror attack.
The ICC authorities informed both sides that their demands would be forwarded to the ICC board. However, the final decision on the India-Pakistan match would be taken by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after the government of Pakistan declared its determination not to play.
Naqvi will hold a discussion with Sharif within the next 24 to 48 hours and a final decision on the India-Pakistan issue is expected in the coming days. Sri Lanka Cricket has also written to the PCB to reconsider their decision as the co-hosts may face losses if the India-Pakistan match does not take place.
Also read: Resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral series demanded by Mohsin Naqvi to end T20 World Cup boycott
#IndiaPakistan #controversy #Mohsin #Naqvi #Bangladesh #join #forces #Jay #Shah #explosive #demands #T20 #boycott