India-Pakistan T20 World Cup game back on the table as PCB initiate talks with ICC

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“The ICC will now engage in a structured manner to solve the problem; there would be a dialogue, not confrontation,” an official said. “Subsequent to the receipt of the formal communication from the ICC, PCB approached the international body to initiate further dialogue. ICC is currently engaging with the board in a structured manner to explore possible resolutions.”

The Force Majeure clause that PCB had raised refers to unforeseeable circumstances that could prevent a contract from being fulfilled. While pressing the clause with the ICC, the Pakistan board had also attached their government’s social media post on February 1 that instructed them to participate in the T20 World Cup but boycott the India game next Sunday. The ICC said that PCB’s invoking of Force Majeure was ‘without any further questions explanation or justification.’

After the Pakistan government’s unprecedented intervention, the ICC had released a statement reminding PCB of the potential consequences. While the world body didn’t specify sanctions, there had been talk that the Pakistan board might end up facing a hefty fine since their action would result in the broadcaster suffering a big loss if the high-value game didn’t go ahead. The ICC can also punish the PCB with a temporary ban on bilateral series, leading to international isolation.

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More recently, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had also written to PCB, urging them to reconsider the stance because the island nation also stood to lose significantly financially. Bandula Dissanayake, Sri Lanka Cricket secretary, told The Indian Express that SLC would incur losses while the country’s tourism industry would suffer if Pakistan sticks to its stand. The SLC also reminded Pakistan about their national team’s previous tours to the country when teams were reluctant to travel because of security-related issues. “From the demand for tickets, it was evident that we were going to receive a huge boost economically, as people who turn up for the fixture will definitely spend a few more days exploring the country. So it is a huge loss for everyone. It is a grim picture,” Dissanayake had said.

The question of will-they-won’t-they began when Pakistan decided to show solidarity with Bangladesh, who had been replaced in the tournament following their decision to not send their team to India, citing security concerns. The ICC had cited ‘the absence of any credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team in India’ and rejected the BCB’s demand to move its matches from India to Sri Lanka.

On Saturday, Pakistan began their campaign with a stuttering three-wicket win against the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, where a defeat would have left them in serious danger of yet another early exit, if they remain firm on the stance of not playing India.