Mohsin Naqvi confirms India Vs Pakistan series off the cards, claims PCB gained nothing from ICC

Naqvi spoke on PCB's alleged demands of resuming IND vs PAK series [Source: X]

In a significant development, Mohsin Naqvi clarified that the PCB gained nothing from the ICC for withdrawing its boycott stance and deciding to play against India in the T20 World Cup. On Monday night, the Pakistan government announced that the Men in Green would participate in the high-profile T20 World Cup clash against India, reversing its earlier decision. 

Meanwhile, as the dramatic escalation headed to a smooth conclusion, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi dismissed the India-Pakistan bilateral series rumours, claiming it wasn't even among the agendas during the ICC-PCB-BCB official dialogue. 

Mohsin Naqvi discloses India vs Pakistan bilateral series fate

After the Pakistan government announced that the Pakistani players wouldn't take the field against India, the ICC demanded a logical written explanation from the PCB. As the Mohsin Naqqvi-led board cited the much-talked-about 'Force majeure' clause, stating it couldn't overrule the Pakistan government's order, the ICC held a meeting with the PCB, with the BCB chief Aminul Islam Bulbul also entering the discussion. 

While the ICC and PCB mutually agreed to proceed with the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match as planned, several reports claimed that Pakistan sought to seize the moment and persuade the global body to persuade the BCCI to resume bilateral series against India. 

However, as Mohsin Naqvi later claimed, the sole purpose of Pakistan's boycott of the T20 World Cup was to stand by Bangladesh and prevent the BCB from being sanctioned by the ICC for pulling out of the marquee event. 

Thus, he dismissed the rumours of the resumption of the India vs Pakistan bilateral series, revealing that it wasn't among the PCB's demands during its meeting with the ICC. 

“Humne Bangladesh ke liye stand liya tha. Unhi ki baat thi. Humne apne liye kuch nahi kiya (We took a stand for Bangladesh. It was their matter. We didn’t do anything for ourselves)," Mohsin Naqvi was quoted as saying by News18. 

Bangladesh not to be penalised, confirms ICC

Earlier, Bangladesh had to withdraw from the T20 World Cup after its government refused to send the players to India following Mustafizur Rahman's controversial ouster from the IPL 2026. Although Bangladesh urged the ICC to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns, the ICC dismissed the request and eventually replaced the Tigers with Scotland. 

Although it was expected that the board would be sanctioned for withdrawing from the marquee event, the ICC, in its official statement, disclosed that it wouldn't penalise the BCB following its constructive dialogue with the PCB. 

As per Pakistan's side of the story, its government opted to revoke the boycott only after the ICC fulfilled Bangladesh's demands, and government officials from its friendly countries, particularly Sri Lanka and the UAE, requested that it play the India game for the overall betterment of cricket in South Asia. 

India vs Pakistan set to take place on February 15

As the Pakistan government has officially allowed its team to play against India, the arch-rivals will take on each other in a high-octane encounter on Sunday, February 15. The mother of all battles will be hosted by the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.