Jay Shah appoints Singapore administrator to ceasefire IND vs PAK T20 World Cup war

Imran Khwaja and Jay Shah (Source:X)

In a significant development, the ICC, led by chairman Jay Shah, has stepped in after the Pakistan government's decision to boycott the high-profile group-stage match against India at the T20 World Cup 2026. 

According to multiple media reports, the ICC led by Jay Shah, has asked its deputy chairman, Imran Khwaja, to hold back-channel talks with the PCB to resolve the issue and ensure the match goes ahead as scheduled.

India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash under threat

The India vs Pakistan match is set to be played on February 15, 2026, in Colombo and is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament. 

However, tensions escalated when the Pakistan government issued an official statement on X, allowing the national team to participate in the T20 World Cup while clearly stating that Pakistan would not play India.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026. However, the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February, 2026, against India,” said the Pakistan government in their official Twitter post. 

Soon after the government’s statement, the ICC issued a formal response. It said it had taken note of the comments made by Pakistan’s government but stressed that ‘selective participation’ goes against the spirit of global sporting events. 

The ICC also clarified that it was still waiting for official written communication from the PCB regarding the boycott decision.

Jay Shah-led ICC appoints Imran Khwaja to resolve IND-PAK tension

According to a recent report by RevSportz, the Jay Shah-led ICC has now appointed Imran Khwaja to handle the sensitive situation. Khwaja, who represents the Singapore Cricket Association, is considered a neutral and experienced administrator within the ICC. 

He previously served as the ICC’s interim chairman and is believed to have good working relationships with all major cricket boards. Because of this, he has been asked to lead ‘hectic’ backroom discussions with the PCB.

The ICC hopes that Khwaja can convince Pakistan to reconsider its stance and play the fixture. As of now, the PCB has not officially informed the ICC in writing about its decision to skip the match. 

Reports also suggest that the board is deliberately avoiding formal communication while discussions continue behind the scenes.

ICC's legal action against Pakistan and PCB

If Pakistan go ahead and does not turn up for the match against India, the immediate sporting consequences are clear. 

They will forfeit all points from the game and suffer a major blow to their NRR, which could severely hurt their chances of qualifying for the next stage. Beyond that, the issue enters complex legal territory.

Jay Shah's ICC has already warned the PCB about possible legal action from the tournament’s official broadcasters, JioStar. 

The India-Pakistan match is a major revenue driver, and a boycott could result in heavy financial losses. One report suggests that the ICC may even withhold Pakistan’s annual revenue share and use that money to compensate broadcasters.

Other reports also claim that the PCB reached out to other ICC member boards for support but failed to find backing. 

For now, the matter remains unresolved, with back-channel negotiations ongoing. But if Pakistan sticks with its decision, it would have long-term consequences.