PCB approaches ICC for deliberations after deciding to boycott India match at T20 World Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Board has now approached the ICC for deliberations after seeking to invoke the ‘force majeure’ clause to justify its refusal to play the match, PTI has learnt. The move comes after the global body sought an explanation from the PCB on how it could withdraw from one fixture while continuing to play the remainder of the tournament on government instructions.

A few days earlier, the PCB had formally written to the ICC expressing its intent to invoke the clause, citing a government tweet that barred the team from playing the February 15 match in Colombo. The ICC subsequently asked the board to justify selective non-participation and explain the basis for placing the onus on the government.

An ICC director told PTI that there remains scope for discussions following the PCB’s outreach to the governing body. After receiving the ICC’s formal communication, the PCB initiated further talks. The official said the ICC is engaging with the board “in a structured manner to explore possible resolutions,” adding that “the interest of the game must supersede unilateral action,” the official told PTI.


The India vs Pakistan match, widely regarded as the financial centrepiece of ICC tournaments, is back under discussion, with talks beginning between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the world body to organise the fixture. Pakistan had announced it would boycott the February 15 T20 World Cup match against India to express solidarity with Bangladesh following their removal from the tournament, but the high commercial stakes have prompted extensive back-channel negotiations to resolve the impasse.

What force majeure means

Force majeure is a contractual provision that excuses a party from fulfilling its obligations due to extraordinary events beyond its control, such as war, natural disasters, government actions or public emergencies.

For the clause to apply, the affected party must demonstrate that the event was unforeseeable, unavoidable and that it took all reasonable steps to mitigate the impact. Legal sources said inconvenience or political preference does not ordinarily meet the threshold for invoking the clause.

ICC seeks proof of mitigation

The Pakistan government had announced that its team would boycott only the India fixture in support of Bangladesh, who were removed from the tournament after refusing to play in India citing “security concerns,” while continuing to participate in the remaining matches.

The ICC has sent a series of queries to the PCB, seeking details on what efforts were made to mitigate the situation, whether alternatives were explored and if exemptions were sought before opting for non-participation.

It is learnt that the ICC has also outlined the conditions under which force majeure can be legitimately triggered, the evidence required for withdrawal from a scheduled match and the broader sporting, commercial and governance implications. The governing body has underlined that it could claim damages if the invocation is found to be invalid.

In its communication, the ICC has warned that selective participation undermines the core premise of a global tournament and could expose the PCB to breach-of-contract claims as well as disciplinary action under ICC regulations.

PCB engaged in structured dialogue

Sources within the ICC told PTI that the global body is following the same process it adopted during its engagement with Bangladesh, which involved extensive deliberations over several days.