ICC Rejects Pakistan’s Demand for Bilateral Series With India Amid T20 World Cup Boycott Row

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected a key demand from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that sought the resumption of a bilateral cricket series with India, sources in the global cricket body confirmed on Monday. The move comes amid ongoing tensions over Pakistan’s stance on its scheduled **India match in the ongoing ICC **Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka and India.

Pakistan’s cricket board had flagged several conditions — including the revival of bilateral tours against India — as part of a wider negotiation with the ICC over its reported boycott of the marquee World Cup fixture. The ICC clarified that bilateral series fall outside its jurisdiction and cannot be enforced or brokered by the governing body, effectively dismissing Pakistan’s request.

The issue has spilled over from political tensions into the cricketing arena, with the PCB chief and Pakistan government publicly indicating reluctance to play the February 15 match against India in Colombo. International cricket officials have urged Pakistan to reconsider, warning that non-participation could affect the tournament’s integrity and finances.

In addition to the bilateral series demand, the PCB also reportedly proposed a tri-nation arrangement involving Bangladesh, which was also not accepted by the ICC. The board’s attempts to find alternative formats or incentives have so far not yielded breakthroughs, and Pakistan’s final decision on playing India remains uncertain as the cricket community watches closely.

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