The high-stakes standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) is reaching a boiling point. With the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly placed three non-negotiable conditions before the ICC to call off the boycott, including a demand to end the infamous “no-handshake” era.
The Deadline in Colombo: Will the Game Happen?
The cricket world is on edge as a two-member ICC delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, landed in Lahore for emergency talks. The mission? To save the tournament’s most lucrative fixture. Following the Pakistan government’s directive to skip the India game in solidarity with Bangladesh, the PCB has turned the boycott into a strategic negotiation.
Recent reports suggest a breakthrough is expected within 24 hours, as the financial stakes have become too large to ignore. Estimates suggest a cancellation could result in a $250 million loss in revenue for broadcasters and the host nation, Sri Lanka.
Mohsin Naqvi’s 3 Power Demands
According to a report, the PCB has moved beyond mere security concerns, using the match as leverage for long-term gains. The three conditions presented to the ICC are:
- Revival of Bilateral Ties: Pakistan wants the ICC to mediate and ensure the resumption of the India-Pakistan bilateral series, which has been frozen for over a decade.
- Increased Revenue Share: A demand for a higher slice of the ICC’s annual funding, citing Pakistan’s role in driving global viewership.
- The “Handshake” Mandate: In a surprising move, Naqvi brought up the “no-handshake” chapter from the Asia Cup, demanding that Indian players observe customary greetings and on-field ethics.
Why the “No-Handshake Gate” Matters
The “Handshake Gate” has become a symbol of the frosty relations between the two neighbours. Indian teams recently adopted a policy of avoiding post-match handshakes following regional tensions in late 2025. Naqvi’s insistence on “customary greetings” suggests that Pakistan is pushing for a return to “sporting normalcy” on the world stage, citing the ethics of the game.
The Bangladesh & Sri Lanka Factor
The meeting was also attended by BCB President Aminul Islam, who has demanded monetary compensation and hosting rights for the 2028 Under-19 World Cup after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the current tournament.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reportedly written to the PCB, pleading for the match to go ahead. The island nation’s tourism and hospitality sectors are already reeling from hotel cancellations in Colombo following the boycott news.
“The situation has changed after the Sri Lankan cricket board sent an email to the PCB, urging them to end the boycott… the interest of the game must supersede unilateral action.” — ICC Source.
With the Indian team prepared to arrive in Colombo on February 13 and follow all match-day protocols (including the toss), Pakistan faces a choice: play the match or concede a walkover and face severe ICC sanctions, including potential suspension.
