PCB Keeps India Match Boycott Open Despite Legal Threat, Claims Report

In a high-stakes standoff that could redefine the economics of world cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently locked in urgent consultations with the country’s top leadership.

The core of the conflict? A potential boycott of the February 15, 2026, T20 World Cup clash against India, following the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after the former refused to travel to India.

The PCB’s Strategic Dilemma

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, January 26, to discuss the fallout.

• The “Bangladesh Solidarity” Stance: Pakistan was the only nation to support Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India. With Bangladesh now out, Pakistan is weighing a “partial boycott”—playing their other group matches (which are scheduled for Sri Lanka) but forfeiting the high-revenue India fixture.
• The “Winning” Condition: Internal reports suggest Pakistan may wait to see their performance in the first two matches (against Netherlands on Feb 7 and USA on Feb 10). If they win both, the board feels they can “afford” to forfeit the India points and still qualify for the Super Eights.
• Squad Announced (But Not Guaranteed): Despite the uncertainty, Pakistan announced their 15-member squad on Sunday, led by Salman Ali Agha. Naqvi clarified that this is a procedural requirement and not a confirmation of travel.

The $3 Billion Financial “Nuclear Option”

The ICC and legal advisors have reportedly warned the PCB of catastrophic financial consequences if the India match is boycotted:

• The Broadcaster Threat: JioStar Sports (the merged entity of Disney Star and Viacom18) holds a $3 billion ICC broadcast deal. A cancellation of an India-Pakistan match—the tournament’s primary revenue driver—could lead to a massive lawsuit against the ICC.
• The Liability: Pakistan could face a direct liability of up to $38 million (approx. ₹315 crore), which is nearly double the PCB’s annual operating budget.
• ICC Sanctions: Potential “never-before-seen” penalties include:
  • Suspension of PSL (Pakistan Super League) international recognition.
  • Blocking NOCs for foreign players to play in Pakistan.
  • Reallocation of the 2025 Champions Trophy (already a point of contention).

T20 World Cup 2026: Group A (Pakistan’s Schedule)

All Pakistan matches are currently scheduled for Sri Lanka.