The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over Pakistan’s decision not to play against India, sources said, urging a review of the boycott in the wider interest of international cricket.
According to sources, a high-level meeting between ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is currently underway in Lahore, where a final decision on whether Pakistan will play the India match is expected.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President is also present at the meeting. Meanwhile, the UAE Cricket Board has formally reached out to the PCB.
Sources said the UAE board has requested Pakistan to reconsider its stance and take a decision that serves the best interests of the game. The highly anticipated, high-voltage Pakistan–India T20 World Cup match, scheduled for 15 February, is considered crucial for the tournament. Pakistan, however, had earlier announced a boycott of the fixture.
Both the UAE Cricket Board and the ICC are in favour of the match going ahead. The controversy escalated after Bangladesh raised security concerns over playing matches in India and requested a venue shift to Sri Lanka. The ICC rejected the request and subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the World Cup.
In response, Pakistan announced it would not play against India as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh, a decision that has since sparked intense discussions at the highest levels of international cricket.
