Suspense over the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match has shifted after reports said the Pakistan Cricket Board is ready to play but has placed three key conditions before the ICC. Earlier boycott speculation had raised doubts over the high-voltage clash.
PCB Ready to Play India but Places Three Demands Before ICC
New Delhi: Suspense surrounding the T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan has taken a new turn. The match that was earlier clouded by boycott discussions is now seeing a shift in Pakistan’s stance. According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is willing to play against India, but it has placed three key conditions before the International Cricket Council (ICC).
A high-level meeting was held between the PCB and the ICC in Lahore on Sunday. This discussion took place at a time when there is not much time left for the India-Pakistan match in the group stage. The ICC wants to ensure that the world's most high-voltage and revenue-generating match is not jeopardized.
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PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul were present at the meeting, while ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta joined virtually.
According to reports, Pakistan wants certain guarantees in exchange for lifting the boycott. The PCB has reportedly made three demands:
A larger share of ICC revenues
Resumption of bilateral cricket with India
Strict enforcement of the handshake protocol
These demands clearly indicate that the issue is not limited to a single match, but also involves economic participation and long-term cricketing ties. However, India has not played bilateral series with Pakistan for a long time, and ICC revenue sharing is also linked to performance and market potential.
The entire controversy began when the Pakistani government publicly announced that the team would not play against India, even if the match was held at a neutral venue. While no clear reason was given, the cricket community linked it to support for Bangladesh, which had demanded to move its matches out of India, citing security concerns. The ICC rejected this demand.
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According to reports, Bangladesh may also seek compensation from the ICC, in which Pakistan could play a key role. All eyes are now on the ICC's stance.
If a solution is reached on these terms, it will be a major relief for cricket fans. The India-Pakistan match is not just a sporting contest, but is considered one of the most-watched cricket events globally. Therefore, the holding of this match is extremely important for fans of both countries and the international cricket world.
