The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly dismissed reports from Indian media suggesting it reached out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to discuss boycotting its 2026 T20 World Cup clash against India, branding the narrative as fabricated.
Reacting to claims made by Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta, PCB spokesperson Amir Mir categorically denied that the board initiated any such communication with the ICC.
“I categorically reject the claim by Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta that PCB approached the ICC. As usual, sections of Indian media are busy circulating fiction. A little patience and time will clearly show who actually went knocking and who didn’t,” Mir said in a statement.
The clarification comes amid growing speculation following Pakistan’s government invoking a ‘force majeure’ directive that allows for selective non-participation against India. The move reportedly triggered concern within the ICC, which is understood to have flagged potential contractual, commercial and governance implications tied to any unilateral decision.
According to Indian media reports, the ICC sought clarification from the PCB regarding the force majeure clause and the steps taken to mitigate its impact, while also warning of possible legal consequences and sanctions. Those reports further claimed that the PCB subsequently entered into dialogue with the global body.
However, the PCB has firmly rejected the suggestion that it was the party to initiate talks, insisting that the portrayal of events by Indian outlets is misleading.
For now, the PCB has made it clear it will not accept what it calls “fictional narratives,” reiterating that the truth will become evident in due course.
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