ICC–PCB Backroom Talks Clear Path for India–Pakistan Clash, Details to Surface After T20 World Cup

New Delhi | 10 Feb 2026 The India–Pakistan match is officially back on the schedule, but new reports suggest the decision involved more than what was publicly shared. According to news agency , the International Cricket Council offered the Pakistan Cricket Board a set of “concessions” to convince it to withdraw its threat of boycotting the high-profile fixture. These behind-the-scenes assurances were part of quiet negotiations and will only be revealed after the T20 World Cup concludes. A PCB source told news agency that whatever concessions were agreed upon have deliberately been kept out of the public domain for now. “Whatever concessions the PCB has received from the ICC for ending the boycott will be disclosed only after the T20 World Cup,” the source said. Neither the ICC nor the Pakistan government mentioned these concessions in their official statements issued on Monday night. The ICC’s communication instead focused on Bangladesh, confirming that the Bangladesh Cricket Board would not face any penalties and would be granted hosting rights for a global tournament in the 2028–2031 cycle, most likely a men’s Under-19 World Cup. On its part, the Pakistan government said the boycott decision was reversed after repeated appeals from other ICC member nations and a late phone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The report also stated that Prime Minister Sharif, who is the PCB’s patron-in-chief, was briefed on the benefits Pakistan could gain if the team was cleared to play India. Another source added, “The ICC now has a clear understanding with Naqvi that no further details of the discussions involving the PCB, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and other member boards will be made public.” Earlier talks reportedly included requests from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on restoring bilateral cricket with India and increasing Pakistan’s share of ICC revenues, but these proposals were not accepted and may only be reconsidered in a future financial cycle. Pakistan Drops Boycott Call After ICC Assurances, Report Reveals The India–Pakistan clash has returned to the T20 World Cup schedule, but a fresh report suggests the decision was shaped by closed-door talks. According to sources, the ICC offered the Pakistan Cricket Board a few “concessions” to step back from its boycott threat. These assurances were made privately and were not mentioned in official statements. A PCB source told news agency that the full details will stay under wraps for now. “Whatever concessions the PCB has received from the ICC for ending the boycott will be disclosed only after the T20 World Cup,” the source said. Neither the ICC nor the Pakistan government spoke about these “concessions” when announcing the reversal on Monday. The ICC instead highlighted decisions linked to Bangladesh, confirming that the Bangladesh Cricket Board would not face any action and would get hosting rights for a global event during the 2028–2031 cycle. Pakistan’s government said its change in stance came after requests from other ICC members and a late phone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The report added that Sharif, who is the PCB’s patron-in-chief, was briefed on what Pakistan stood to gain by clearing the match. Another source said, “The ICC now has a clear understanding with Naqvi that no further details of the discussions involving the PCB, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and other member boards will be made public,” indicating that the bigger picture will only emerge after the tournament ends.