Pakistan Ready to Play India Only if 3 Conditions Are Met

February 9, 2026

Pakistan’s cricket board has indicated that the national team might agree to face India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 only if certain conditions set by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are met, according to reports. This development comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the high-profile India–Pakistan fixture scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

In recent discussions between PCB officials and the International Cricket Council (ICC), the PCB reportedly outlined three key conditions that it wants addressed before committing to play the match raising the stakes in what has been a tense build-up to the tournament’s most anticipated clash.

Background: Boycott Threat and Talk of Conditions

Earlier this month, the Government of Pakistan announced that the national team would participate in the T20 World Cup but would not play the India match a statement that sparked controversy and uncertainty in international cricket. The decision was widely viewed as a political statement tied to disputes involving Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament and broader regional tensions.

In response to global backlash, including criticism from the ICC that selective participation undermines the integrity of the game, the PCB held high-level talks with the ICC in Lahore, seeking a resolution that could pave the way for Pakistan to reconsider its stance on the India fixture.

Three Conditions for Playing India

According to reports from multiple media outlets, the PCB has presented three main demands to the ICC that it wants addressed before it agrees to play against India:

1. Increased Share of ICC Revenue: Pakistan wants a larger portion of the revenue generated by the ICC, arguing that its absence from marquee fixtures undermines its financial interests.

2. Resumption of Bilateral Cricket with India: The PCB is calling for dialogue on reviving bilateral cricket between the two nations a relationship that has been dormant due to political and diplomatic tensions.

3. Strict Implementation of Handshake Protocol: Pakistan requires mandatory player handshakes between Indian and Pakistani teams at the T20 World Cup, aiming to reinforce the spirit of sportsmanship.

These conditions were reportedly conveyed during the Lahore meeting with ICC officials, which also saw the presence of representatives from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), highlighting the broader regional dimensions of the dispute.

Significance of the India–Pakistan Match

The India–Pakistan game is one of the most commercially valuable fixtures in cricket, drawing massive global viewership, sponsorship dollars and intense fan interest. A boycott or cancellation would not only disappoint millions of fans but could also lead to significant financial consequences for broadcasters and cricket boards alike.

Commercial analysts have previously cautioned that forfeiting the fixture could cost the PCB and ICC substantial revenue, given the match’s far-reaching broadcast and advertising value.

ICC’s Position and the Way Forward

The ICC has publicly stressed that cricketing contests should be free from political interference and that selective participation such as Pakistan choosing not to play a specific game undermines the spirit of global tournaments. The body has urged the PCB to reconsider its stance, even as formal communication between the boards remains ongoing.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is reported to be consulting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before a final decision is made, underscoring the political as well as sporting dimensions of the issue.