The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will seek an assurance from the International Cricket Council’s board that their matches for the T20 World Cup in 2026 will not be slotted in India if the BCCI insists on a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy.

India and Sri Lanka are jointly scheduled to host the showpiece event for the game’s shortest version.

A virtual meeting of the ICC board will take place on Friday evening in an attempt to end the impasse over the venue for India’s matches in the Champions Trophy, scheduled in February-March next year. The BCCI has informed the ICC that their team will not travel to Pakistan because of security concerns.

“If it comes to that, Pakistan will play all their matches, including the high-profile clash with India, in Sri Lanka during the 2026 tournament. There is no way we will play in India if they don’t come here.

“The women’s ODI World Cup will take place in India next year and Pakistan will not travel. If a hybrid model is not possible, PCB has threatened to pull out,” a source told The Telegraph.

The PCB has so far insisted that a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, whereby India play all their matches in the UAE, was unacceptable.

The ICC board may even resort to voting to solve the contentious issue.

PCB, led by chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has been working overtime with the ICC to resolve the problem outside the board room, seemed to have softened their stance a day ahead of the meeting. “Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said during a news conference at the PCB headquarters in Lahore in the early hours of Thursday. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”

“Our stance is very clear,” Naqvi said. “I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I’m constantly in touch with the ICC chairman and my team is talking to them constantly... Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told this to the ICC very clearly...”

The PCB has insisted on a written clarification from the BCCI listing the reasons for their refusal to visit Pakistan.

The prolonged delay in various aspects related to the Champions Trophy has already led to a lot of discontent among the various stakeholders, including broadcasters Disney Star. A senior PCB functionary also contacted ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice to express their displeasure in failing to meet the contractual deadline of releasing the fixtures 90 days ahead of the tournament.

The PCB has made it clear that any decision at the ICC meeting would have to be approved by their government.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah will take charge as ICC chairman on Sunday and the
governing body is hoping to end the crisis before the change of guard.