Force Majeure or Precedent? Pakistan Faces ICC Scrutiny over India Match Boycott in Lahore Meeting

The International Cricket Council held a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday to discuss Pakistan's decision to boycott its ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, according to Dawn.

No joint declaration was issued after the four-hour meeting.

Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board indicated that any announcement would likely be made only after obtaining approval from the Pakistan Government.

ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khawaja reportedly advised the PCB to "move its case before the ICC arbitration committee or bring it up during the ICC board meeting, and end the boycott of the India-Pakistan match forthwith, as it was not good for cricket."

The development follows an official statement on X from the Pakistan Government confirming that the Men in Green would not take the field on February 15.

Pakistan Links Boycott to Bangladesh Controversy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later linked the boycott to the controversy with Bangladesh, citing it as a symbol of solidarity.

Bangladesh had been replaced by Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup after their request to play all matches outside India was rejected by the ICC.

The request had arisen after Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the squad following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, amid concerns related to atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.

According to the report, ICC informed PCB of the potential material damage that could occur if the match did not go ahead and highlighted the governance, commercial, and sporting implications of non-participation.

PCB sent an email citing government orders as the reason for the boycott, which came less than ten days before the tournament, prompting ICC to ask the PCB to demonstrate steps taken to mitigate the 'Force Majeure' event, as required under the Members Participation Agreement.

Bangladesh Seeks Compensation

ICC is understood to have detailed conditions under which 'Force Majeure' can be invoked legitimately.

Sources added that ICC had "nothing to offer to Bangladesh as compensation but to ensure it would get a full share from the ICC earnings."

Meanwhile, Telecom Asia Sport reported that Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam requested monetary compensation along with the hosting rights of one ICC event, most likely the 2028 U19 World Cup.

The PCB reportedly believes it has a strong case if the matter becomes contentious, referencing an old PCB-BCCI dispute that reached the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee regarding a bilateral series.

The 2014 dispute involved BCCI allegedly failing to honour a memorandum of understanding to play six bilateral series between 2013 and 2015.

PCB Cites Precedent While BCCI Defers to ICC Decision

While PCB lost their claim for damages, they believe the Indian government's refusal to grant BCCI permission to proceed with the series sets a precedent for their current stance.

Amid uncertainty over the India-Pakistan fixture, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that the Indian board has left the matter entirely to the ICC and will abide by whatever decision the global body takes.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Indian team's dinner at head coach Gautam Gambhir's residence in New Delhi, Shukla said, "We have left everything on the ICC. We will follow whatever decision the ICC takes."

Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly expressed surprise over Pakistan's move, calling it unusual in the context of a World Cup.

"Backing out of a World Cup for what? They are playing in Sri Lanka, in any case. I am surprised Pakistan is backing out. In a World Cup, every point is important," he said.

Meanwhile, the Indian team continues to focus on on-field commitments. Ahead of their next group-stage match against Namibia on February 12 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, head coach Gautam Gambhir hosted a special dinner for the squad at his residence in New Delhi, attended by Rajeev Shukla.

(With inputs from ANI)