NEW DELHI, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The International Cricket Council is in 
talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board to resolve the boycott of its T20 World 
Cup match against India on February 15, AFP learnt Saturday.

Any clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrative 
in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsor and advertising 
revenue.

But the fixture was thrown into doubt after Pakistan's government ordered the 
team not to play the match in Colombo.

The Pakistan Cricket Board reached out to the ICC after a formal 
communication from the cricket's world body, a source close to the 
developments told AFP.

The ICC was seeking a resolution through dialogue and not confrontation, the 
source added.

The 20-team tournament has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political 
build-up after Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing security 
concerns, were replaced by Scotland.

As a protest, Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A 
fixture.

Pakistan, who edged out Netherlands in the tournament opener on Saturday, 
will lose two points if they forfeit the match and also suffer a significant 
blow to their net run rate.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said this week that his team would travel to 
Colombo for the clash.

Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, 
and meet only in global or regional tournaments.