India–Pakistan T20 World Cup clash back in play as PCB opens talks with ICC

The prospect of an India–Pakistan showdown at the T20 World Cup has been revived after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) to open formal talks over its decision to boycott the February 15 fixture.

The shift, coming on the opening day of the tournament, marks a notable change in tone from the PCB after the ICC sent a detailed communication questioning Pakistan’s last-minute withdrawal and warning of the potential consequences. The development has reopened the door for one of cricket’s most high-stakes encounters to be played in Colombo next week.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the turnaround followed the ICC’s explanation of the limited circumstances under which a Force Majeure clause can be legitimately invoked. The world body also outlined the damages it could seek from the PCB and asked the board to clarify what steps it had taken to mitigate the situation.

“The ICC will now engage in a structured manner to solve the problem; there will be dialogue, not confrontation,” an official said. “After receiving the ICC’s formal communication, the PCB reached out to initiate further dialogue. Discussions are ongoing to explore possible resolutions.”

The PCB had earlier cited Force Majeure—meant for unforeseeable circumstances preventing contractual obligations—after acting on a Pakistan government social media post on February 1. The post directed the board to take part in the T20 World Cup but boycott the match against India. The ICC, however, said the clause was invoked “without any further explanation or justification.”

Following the unprecedented government intervention, the ICC reminded the PCB of the serious implications of pulling out of a marquee fixture. While no sanctions were publicly specified, officials indicated that Pakistan could face a substantial fine, given the financial hit broadcasters would take if the match were cancelled. The PCB could also risk punitive measures such as restrictions on bilateral series, potentially leading to international isolation.

Pressure has also come from the host nation. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wrote to the PCB urging it to reconsider, warning of significant financial losses not just for cricket administrators but also for the country’s tourism sector. SLC secretary Bandula Dissanayake was quoted as saying by The Indian Express that demand for the match had promised a major economic boost. “People attending the fixture would have spent extra days exploring the country. It is a huge loss for everyone. It is a grim picture,” he said.

The standoff began when Pakistan decided to show solidarity with Bangladesh, who were dropped from the tournament after refusing to tour India over security concerns. The ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to move matches out of India, stating there was no credible or verifiable security threat.

Pakistan, meanwhile, began their World Cup campaign with a shaky three-wicket win over the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Saturday. With momentum and commercial stakes hanging in the balance, the reopening of talks has put the spotlight firmly back on whether cricket’s fiercest rivalry will take centre stage after all.