A common view of the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) constructing. — AFP/File
The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday expressed hope that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would work in the direction of a “mutually acceptable resolution” after the federal government denied permission to the nationwide aspect for a match in opposition to India in T20 World Cup 2026.
In an announcement, the cricket governing physique famous the federal government’s assertion, through which it mentioned that Pakistan would play the event however skip their recreation in opposition to India.
“While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule,” the ICC mentioned.
The cricket-governing physique added that such “selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions” constructed on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and equity.
The ICC mentioned that it revered the roles of governments in issues of nationwide coverage, nonetheless, it added that the choice was not “in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan”.
“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of,” the ICC said.
The cricket-governing physique asserted that its precedence remained the profitable supply of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026, saying it also needs to be the accountability of all its members together with the PCB.
The assertion follows Pakistan’s announcement that its staff would take part within the event however would boycott the match in opposition to arch-rival India.
The choice got here following a gathering between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026,” the federal government mentioned in a submit on X.
“…however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”
