Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam landed in Lahore on Monday, hoping face-to-face talks can persuade Pakistan to abandon their threatened boycott of next Sunday’s T20 World Cup match against India in Colombo.
Islam is due to sit down with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, while ICC directors Imran Khwaja and Mubashir Usmani will hover in the background. The pair have been shuttling messages between Dubai and Islamabad ever since Naqvi cast doubt on Pakistan’s participation a fortnight ago.
For Dhaka, the visit also keeps alive a public show of solidarity after Bangladesh were removed from the tournament on security grounds. Soon after that controversial ICC board vote – Pakistan and Bangladesh were the only dissenters – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the national side not to face India. Islamabad argued the decision fell under Force Majeure in the Members Participation Agreement.
Privately, the ICC wants details. Officials have asked the PCB to spell out exactly why Force Majeure applies, and have circulated the fine print that sets a high bar for non-participation, outlining potential sporting, commercial and governance penalties. The governing body insists it approached the PCB, not the other way round – a point the PCB echoed in a brief social-media statement.
A PCB release on Thursday confirmed Islam’s arrival, saying he will meet Naqvi and “also attend other meetings.” Beyond that, the board has maintained radio silence. So, too, have Pakistan’s players, now preparing in Karachi while trying to ignore the uncertainty.
Naqvi, however, broke cover last week, accusing the ICC of “double standards” over Bangladesh’s expulsion and describing the decision as an “injustice”. Board insiders suggest Pakistan will seek some form of redress for Bangladesh before committing to play India.
Both teams won their opening fixtures on Saturday, meaning next Sunday’s game could shape Group A. Neutral Colombo was chosen months ago to ease political tensions, yet the match remains in limbo. An ICC director, speaking off the record, reckons there is still time: “Nobody benefits if Pakistan sit out. The cricket, and frankly the finances, demand a solution.”
For now, the ball is in Lahore. If Aminul Islam and Mohsin Naqvi can find common ground – or at least a compromise the ICC can live with – the tournament regains its marquee fixture. If not, Force Majeure and its lawyers will take centre stage.
