The final call on whether Pakistan will play against India in the T20 World Cup on 15 February rests in the hands of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is set to meet PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi later today, a report said.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) met in Lahore on Sunday, where the PCB reportedly put forth three demands: hosting rights for a future ICC event, increased compensation for Bangladesh, and a participation fee for Bangladesh despite their ouster.
While it was not immediately known if the ICC has agreed to all the demands, reports indicate that the India–Pakistan match is most likely to go ahead, with Pakistan softening its stand.
The ICC delegation that travelled to Lahore was led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, who made the trip specifically to ensure that the India–Pakistan game happens, NDTV said in a report. The contest between the two Asian powerhouses is critical for the financial side of the tournament, and the ICC was willing to ensure it would take place. Khawaja's delegation sought answers from the PCB regarding the Force Majeure clause invoked for the boycott and outlined its conditions and implications, the NDTV report said.
According to available information, a "Force Majeure" clause—which means "greater force"—excuses a party from fulfilling its contractual obligations due to extraordinary, unforeseeable events beyond its control. Situations that usually fall under its bracket include war, conflict, serious security threats, government directions, natural calamities, and civil emergencies.
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In other words, the PCB cited directives from the Pakistan government as the reason for refusing to play against India. The Pakistan government had ordered the PCB to boycott the group-stage game against India as a symbolic act of solidarity with Bangladesh, who were ousted from the tournament for refusing to travel to India.
While Mohsin Naqvi did express solidarity with Bangladesh before the ICC delegation, he was willing to look for a resolution if his camp's three demands were met, the NDTV report said. Representing the BCB at the meeting was Aminul Islam Bulbul.
