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The India–Pakistan match remains undecided after an ICC-PCB-BCB meeting, with PCB awaiting directions from Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. ICC insists Pakistan honor the MPA, while bilateral and tri-series proposals spark debate.
Key Meeting Ends Without Final Decision (Image Source: Internet)
New Delhi: A recent high-level meeting involving representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has failed to produce a final decision on the much-anticipated India–Pakistan cricket match. The meeting, held in Lahore, was expected to bring clarity, but the issue remains unresolved even after detailed discussions among the stakeholders.
According to reports, the PCB is not in a position to announce any final outcome until it receives clear instructions from the Pakistan government. As a result, the matter has now escalated beyond cricketing bodies and reached the office of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to reports, expectations are high that a formal announcement could follow a meeting between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Sources suggest that once this political consultation takes place, either the ICC or PCB may issue an official statement by the end of the day, bringing some much-needed clarity to the situation.
The delay highlights how India–Pakistan cricket ties remain deeply intertwined with political considerations, making sporting decisions dependent on government-level approvals rather than purely administrative processes.
During the Lahore meeting, Pakistan reportedly placed four major demands before the ICC. However, the ICC is said to have taken a firm stance, asserting that Pakistan does not have sufficient grounds to press these demands. The global governing body has referred to the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) signed in December 2024, under which Pakistan had agreed to play matches against India.
The ICC reiterated that the MPA included provisions for India–Pakistan matches to be held at a neutral venue, a compromise aimed at ensuring continuity of marquee contests despite political tensions.
The same report claims that some of the PCB’s demands circulating in the media may be partially accurate. These include calls to resume bilateral series with India and even Bangladesh. Additionally, the Bangladesh Cricket Board proposed the idea of a tri-series involving India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
While such proposals may appear attractive from a cricketing and commercial perspective, they fall outside the ICC’s jurisdiction. Decisions on bilateral or tri-series tournaments lie solely with the respective national boards.
Ultimately, whether India plays Pakistan or Bangladesh in bilateral or multi-nation series will be decided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Neither the ICC nor other boards can mandate India’s participation beyond what is contractually agreed in ICC events.
As of now, uncertainty prevails, with fans awaiting clarity on one of cricket’s most politically sensitive rivalries.
