The drama surrounding the India vs Pakistan fixture in Colombo is intensifying with every passing day. While the BCCI has kept mum and abided by the ICC’s protocols, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stands firm on their decision to boycott the fixture against the defending champions on February 15. Following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s refusal to allow the team to play India, there have been multiple interventions urging both the PCB and the Pakistan government to reconsider their stance. However, there has been no movement in that direction so far.
Several news reports suggested that the PCB has reopened dialogue with the ICC over their boycott stance. However, the board quashed them all on Saturday.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, PCB spokesperson Amir Mir dismissed reports suggesting the board had reached out to the ICC for discussions.
“I categorically reject the claim by a renowned Indian sports journalist that the PCB approached the ICC,” Mir said.
The PCB spokesperson’s response came after the journalist claimed that the PCB had initiated dialogue with the ICC following warnings about the potential legal implications of forfeiting the match. According to that claim, the ICC had responded formally before the PCB sought talks to resolve the matter.
Mir, however, rubbished those assertions, saying sections of the Indian media were “circulating fiction” and that clarity would emerge with time about who actually initiated contact.
“As usual, sections of the Indian media are busy circulating fiction. A little patience and time will clearly show who actually went knocking and who didn’t,” Mir added.
Adding another layer to the developments, AFP earlier reported that the PCB had indeed reached out to the ICC following formal communication from the governing body, which was keen on resolving the issue through dialogue rather than confrontation.
The controversy erupted from Pakistan’s decision to skip the marquee Group A encounter against India in Colombo in the T20 World Cup. The government allowed the team to play in the tournament but withheld permission for the high-profile India fixture.
