Decision on Pakistan-India match shortly, says Moshin Naqvi

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said a decision on the T20 World Cup match against India will be taken “shortly”, as Bangladesh formally urged Pakistan to play the high-stakes fixture.

Speaking informally to the media in Lahore, Naqvi said, “A decision regarding the Pakistan-India match will be made in a short while. We are always ready for good news.”

He confirmed that Bangladesh had requested Pakistan to reconsider its position. “Bangladesh has asked us to play the match. Their matters with the ICC should be resolved. We took a stand for Bangladesh and supported their position,” Naqvi said.

Bangladesh appeal for reconsideration

In a parallel development, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally appealed to Pakistan to participate in the World Cup match against India.

The BCB also thanked PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistani fans for their support, saying Pakistan had demonstrated “exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity during a difficult time”.

BCB president Aminul Islam expressed heartfelt gratitude for Pakistan’s backing, adding that ties between the two cricket boards would grow stronger.

The BCB said the Pakistan-India T20 World Cup fixture would benefit global cricket and strengthen the international cricket ecosystem, describing Pakistan’s efforts as commendable.

Why the match is in doubt

Pakistan had announced a boycott of the February 15 group-stage match against India after Bangladesh were excluded from the tournament.

Bangladesh had sought relocation of its India-scheduled fixtures to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The ICC rejected that request and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, prompting Pakistan to protest in solidarity.

The PCB maintained that fairness and equal treatment within ICC events must be ensured, and had linked any reconsideration of the India match to consultations at the highest level, including with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

A decision looming

With the tournament schedule pressing and broadcast stakes high, the PCB appears close to announcing its final position.

Naqvi’s remarks suggest negotiations involving the ICC and Bangladesh may have moved toward a breakthrough.

Whether cricket’s most commercially valuable rivalry goes ahead as planned may now depend on the outcome of talks expected within hours — a decision that could have significant implications for the tournament and the wider cricketing landscape.