ICC to hold key board meeting on Pakistan in next 48 hours; set to impose several sanctions on PCB: Report

The Pakistan team has, however, been given the green signal to travel to Sri Lanka and participate in the remainder of the T20 World Cup tournament.

Updated on: Feb 2, 2026, 10:56:43 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to hold a high-level emergency meeting within the next 48 hours to discuss the Pakistan government’s decision to bar the Salman Ali Agha-led side from taking the field against India in the February 15 Group A match in Colombo, according to a report by NDTV. Pakistan, however, has been cleared to travel to Sri Lanka and participate in the remainder of the T20 World Cup.

ICC set to hold an emergency meeting on PCB matter (PTI)

The report said the apex body is preparing for a meeting that could significantly alter the global cricket landscape, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) potentially facing isolation depending on the outcome.

ALSO READ: Pakistan’s boycott nothing but a hollow threat to ICC; strong chance they’ll play India in marquee T20 World Cup clash

Tensions between the ICC and PCB have been simmering ever since Bangladesh were removed from the T20 World Cup after the governing body rejected their request to shift matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns. On Sunday, the Pakistan government brought an end to days of speculation by announcing its final decision on the team’s participation via social media.

However, the move to allow Pakistan to play selectively in the tournament has not gone down well with the ICC. The report added that PCB could face stringent sanctions for boycotting a single match, with penalties ranging from financial losses to a freeze on issuing No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas players participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In an extreme scenario, suspension from the entire T20 World Cup has also not been ruled out.

The government’s decision came a day before Pakistan were scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka. Fresh off a dominant 3-0 home whitewash against former T20 world champions Australia, Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by fixtures against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18. All three matches will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
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.Read More

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