Ex-PCB chief backstabs Pakistan, sides with Jay Shah and ICC to solve T20 World Cup crisis

Ehsan Mani Jay Shah and Mohsin Naqvi [Source: X]

The Pakistan-ICC-India impasse is one of dire complexity now. With the February 15 match just a week away from now, tensions are escalating with no confirmed solution yet. Notably, the International Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board are in back-channel talks after the former’s decision to boycott the India match in the T20 World Cup 2026.

Amid the hustle and bustle, ex-PCB and ICC chief Ehsan Mani took a strong stance against his own country. Speaking in a candid interview, Mani revealed that there is certainly ‘political involvement’ in PCB’s decision, and the reaction by PCB is just ‘frustration’.

The tussle between ICC and PCB

In a move to protest Bangladesh’s ouster from the ICC event, the Pakistan Cricket Board wanted to raise objections against the alleged lobbying by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

As the BCCI and the ICC were believed to have played a major role in Bangladesh’s exit, the Pakistan Cricket Board, which had been the sole body to vote in favour of moving Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, decided to opt out of the February 15 clash against India in the T20 World Cup.

However, this decision was not officially communicated to the ICC, as the Pakistan government announced the boycott through its social media handle.

Soon after Pakistan’s boycott announcement, the ICC reportedly stepped in to address the issue and look for an amicable solution, while also warning Pakistan of serious implications and consequences if they walked away from the tournament, with nearly $250 million at stake.

Nevertheless, the former ICC chief believes that better communication between the two boards could have prevented such a situation.

Ehsan Mani elaborates on the PCB-ICC impasse

Speaking to RevSportz, Ehsan Mani shared his experience as a former ICC chairman, stating that taking drastic steps is not the solution and that proper discussion is necessary from both sides.

"I feel that as Chairman of the ICC, I would have tried to find a solution. You don't want to throw any member out of the tournament. The PCB has taken a stand, but I would have preferred they refrained from doing so and talked instead.

There is no doubt in my mind that people should be speaking, not threatening or taking drastic actions. However, this effort should have come from both sides," Mani said.

As Pakistan was the only board to oppose the decision regarding Bangladesh, Mani said the PCB should have aligned with the ICC’s stance instead of going against it.

"Obviously, one should usually accept the board's decision. But the PCB feels strongly that it was unfair or politically motivated. This should have been nipped in the bud; Mr Shah and Mr Naqvi should have spoken directly. I feel the PCB's stance was largely a reaction to feeling ignored," Mani added.

Ehsan Mani wants Jay Shah to travel to Pakistan for a solution

Pointing towards a possible solution ahead of the February 15 match, Mani added that only direct talks between the ICC chairman and the PCB chairman can break the deadlock. He expressed confidence that the India vs Pakistan match can still be back on track, provided there is goodwill from both sides.

"To be honest, I would not hold too much hope unless the discussions happen at the top. I would have liked to see Mr Jay Shah make a gesture by offering to travel to Pakistan to sort this out. During my tenure, I met personally with relevant Indian ministers, such as the then Minister of Sport, Mr Sunil Dutt. Sending an emissary only results in messages being passed back and forth. The chairmen must meet directly," Mani suggested.

Nevertheless, whether a solution is possible or not remains in the clouds. With India and Pakistan both having won their inaugural T20 World Cup 2026 clash, they are poised to play their upcoming games in the group stage before they arrive at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15.