(Image source from: IANS)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked deputy chairman Imran Khwaja to engage in private discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about their position on the T20 World Cup 2026, as reported by Revsportz. Khwaja, who is affiliated with the Singapore Cricket Association, is tasked with persuading Pakistan to participate in their group stage match against India on February 15. On Sunday, Pakistan confirmed their participation in the T20 World Cup but stated they would not play against India. Despite this, the ICC has not received any official message from the PCB on the issue, and Khwaja is expected to act as a mediator in the current dispute. The ICC has warned the PCB about the possibility of facing legal actions from JioStar, the official broadcasters for the T20 World Cup, if they boycott the game against India scheduled for February 15, according to a PCB source on Tuesday.

Pakistan decided to skip the match in Colombo on February 15 based on their government’s orders, but they haven't clearly communicated their reasons to the ICC yet.

According to PTI, there is a chance that the ICC will withhold Pakistan's full annual revenue share, which is approximately 35 million USD, and use those funds to pay the broadcasters. A source from the PCB indicated that while chairman Mohsin Naqvi consulted legal experts before updating PM Shehbaz Sharif on this matter last week, the board is preparing for significant repercussions. "If Pakistan refuses to play against India, they may not only face financial fines and possibly a lawsuit from the broadcasters, but their attempts to approach the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) could be unsuccessful," the PCB source shared with PTI. The ICC's DRC is a committee that does not consider appeals related to its own decisions.

"Regardless of the government’s order not to play India, the PCB might encounter difficulties as they are set to play all their matches at a neutral location (Sri Lanka) as per their choice, not in India," another source from the PCB explained. "Additionally, even though the Indian government has not allowed its team to compete in Pakistan, it has not prohibited them from facing Pakistan at neutral sites during the Asia Cup or ICC events, despite the conflict in May," the source, who closely monitors Naqvi, added.