Pakistan impasse shows signs of thaw as Prime Minister’s approval awaited
The long-running Pakistan impasse appears to be moving towards a resolution, with the final decision now resting with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
The ongoing ICC–Pakistan row has reportedly reached a decisive stage, raising strong expectations that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may soften its public stance on playing India.
The India vs Pakistan match scheduled for February 15 is now likely to proceed as planned.
Following a marathon tripartite meeting in Lahore involving officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the PCB, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB),
the issue has been forwarded to the Prime Minister for approval.
Sources suggest that Shahbaz Sharif is expected to meet PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi later in the day, after which a formal announcement could be made by either the ICC or the PCB.
With less than a week remaining for the match, further delays would prove counterproductive for all stakeholders involved.
Fans and officials require clarity as travel arrangements to Colombo must be finalised ahead of the February 15 fixture.
The prolonged uncertainty has already placed supporters, many of whom have booked flights, hotels, and tickets, in a difficult situation.
It is understood that the ICC has maintained a firm position, stating that Pakistan has no valid grounds to impose conditions.
The governing body has reiterated that the PCB is bound by the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) and the December 2024 agreement,
which introduced a hybrid hosting model for matches involving India and Pakistan at neutral venues.
Media speculation suggests that the PCB had pushed for the resumption of bilateral series with India, not only for Pakistan but also for Bangladesh.
Additionally, both the PCB and BCB are believed to have proposed a tri-series involving India.
However, it remains unclear which demands, if any, were accepted.
The ICC is not in a position to guarantee bilateral or tri-series commitments involving India,
as such decisions fall under the authority of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which operates under the Government of India.
Although a bilateral series between India and Bangladesh is scheduled to take place in Bangladesh in September,
existing diplomatic tensions continue to cast doubt over the series.
Throughout the negotiations, the ICC has prioritised procedure over politics and dialogue over confrontation.
Despite allegations of bias from sections of the Pakistani media and experts, the world body has remained largely accommodating
and has continued to engage with all parties, including the BCB.
ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja was present in Lahore for the discussions, while UAE board director Mubashir Usmani participated online.
Much of the behind-the-scenes work, however, is understood to have taken place in Dubai and Mumbai,
where ICC officials have been working continuously to resolve the matter amid the ongoing World Cup.
The extended uncertainty created by a few boards, particularly Pakistan, has added significant logistical pressure to the global event.
The delay has also left thousands of fans in limbo, highlighting the urgency for a final decision.
All eyes are now on Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s approval, which could finally bring the ICC–Pakistan dispute to an end
and clear the way for the high-profile India vs Pakistan clash on February 15 in Colombo.
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