The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief is reportedly set to request that their Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, reconsider their decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India, following a request from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief, Aminul Islam Bulbul.
Sports Tak earlier reported that the BCB chief, Islam Bulbul, is in Pakistan to meet Mohsin Naqvi, who wants to boycott their team's clash against India to show solidarity with Bangladesh, who are out of the World Cup.
News agency PTI reported that Naqvi is set to brief Sharif on the latest developments on the issue later on Monday for the game against India which is scheduled to be held in Colombo on February 15.
"Naqvi will brief the PM on the communications he has had with the Bangladesh, Sri Lankan and Emirates cricket boards and with the ICC on the crisis," the source said as quoted by PTI.
Sri Lanka Cricket and the Emirates Cricket Board have both asked the country to reconsider its decision. A PCB source stated that Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan Papon, while thanking Pakistan for its continued support of Bangladesh cricket, also urged PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to call off the boycott.
Naqvi to meet Pakistan PM
According to the source, Naqvi is now expected to approach Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and request permission for Pakistan to play India in the World Cup, keeping in mind the discussions and repeated appeals from the Sri Lankan, Emirates and Bangladesh boards.
However, the final call will be taken by the Prime Minister, and the PCB will respect whatever decision is made.
PCB talks with ICC on Asia Cup
The source added that Naqvi raised several concerns during his talks with ICC chairman Greg Barclay and ACC president Jay Shah.
“He asked Khawaja whether the ICC would have remained silent if Pakistan had refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from an Indian official during the presentation ceremony,” the source said.
Where is Asia Cup trophy?
The Asia Cup trophy is currently kept at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters in Dubai. Naqvi, who is also the ACC president, has made it clear that he alone will handle the trophy presentation and that it must be done publicly in front of the media.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, were knocked out of the World Cup after declining to travel to India, citing security concerns.