Bulbul at Lahore meeting, mystery deepens over India-Pakistan match

The fate of the most anticipated rivalry in world cricket now hinges not on cricket boards, but on political decisions. Whether the India–Pakistan clash in the upcoming T20 World Cup will take place remains uncertain, with the final call stuck at the highest levels of power in Islamabad. Without a green signal from the Pakistani government, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to receive any assurance regarding the February 15 fixture.

Pakistan’s decision not to play against India did not originate from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB); rather, it came directly from the government. As a result, the PCB has been compelled to seek government approval before engaging meaningfully with the ICC. The delay in formally communicating the decision created uncertainty around the tournament schedule, prompting the ICC to initiate discussions to resolve the deadlock.

As part of those discussions, ICC Vice-President Imran Khawaja held a meeting with the PCB in Lahore on Sunday. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul was also present at the meeting. However, neither side has clarified the purpose of his presence or what position, if any, Bangladesh took during the discussions.

According to Pakistani media reports, a resolution may not be far away. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif once again to seek clarity on the government’s final stance. The future of the India–Pakistan match now depends entirely on that decision.

Meanwhile, conflicting reports about the conditions under discussion have added to the confusion. Indian media outlets claim that the PCB has sought financial and hosting-related concessions from the ICC, with Bangladesh also becoming part of the broader conversation. In contrast, international cricket website Cricbuzz reports that Pakistan’s demands revolve around a greater share of ICC revenue, the resumption of bilateral series with India, and protocols related to on-field courtesy between players. These contrasting narratives have further complicated the situation.

Earlier, Bangladesh had refused to travel to India for the World Cup after raising objections over venues. During the ICC board meeting, Pakistan was the only country to vote in Bangladesh’s favor. When Bangladesh ultimately declined to participate, Scotland was included instead. At the time, Pakistani media reported that Pakistan might boycott the entire tournament in protest, though the country later backed down from that stance. However, the government maintained its decision not to play against India. Now, there appears to be a possibility of reconsideration—albeit subject to certain condition.