There is more to what the ICC and the Government of Pakistan revealed in their press releases late on Monday evening, which eventually put the India–Pakistan clash officially back on the table. According to a fresh report by news agency PTI, the governing body promised the PCB a “few concessions” in return for withdrawing its threat to boycott the marquee fixture. However, details of the behind-the-scenes understanding will only be made public after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan reversed their India boycott stance on Monday
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
“Whatever concessions the PCB has received from the ICC for ending the boycott will be disclosed only after the T20 World Cup,” a PCB source told PTI on Tuesday.
Neither the ICC nor the Pakistan government made any reference to these reported “concessions” in their respective statements on Monday. The ICC’s release largely focused on Bangladesh, confirming that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would not face any sanctions and would be awarded hosting rights for a global tournament during the 2028–2031 cycle, preferably a men’s Under-19 World Cup.
The Pakistan government, meanwhile, stated that its decision to reverse the boycott threat came after sustained appeals from fellow ICC member boards, and also cited a last-minute telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
The PTI report further claimed that Sharif, who serves as the PCB’s patron-in-chief, was briefed on what Pakistan stood to gain if the government formally cleared the team to play against India.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
The PTI report further claimed that Sharif, who serves as the PCB’s patron-in-chief, was briefed on what Pakistan stood to gain if the government formally cleared the team to play against India.
{{/usCountry}}
“The ICC now has a clear understanding with Naqvi that no further details of the discussions involving the PCB, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and other member boards will be made public,” the source added.
Earlier, there had been speculation that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had pushed for the resumption of bilateral ties with India, or even for India–Pakistan fixtures within the World Test Championship framework. The ICC, however, reportedly rejected those proposals. Naqvi is also believed to have sought an increase in the PCB’s share of ICC revenues, though another insider indicated that any such revision would only be considered in the next financial cycle, subject to ICC board approval.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.
Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.
Home/Cricket/ICC offered PCB 'concessions' to avert India boycott; backroom deal to be made public after T20 World Cup: Report
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
