The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called a crucial meeting with five major Asian cricket boards to ease tensions between Pakistan and India ahead of their high-stakes T20 World Cup match.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam confirmed that ICC has invited the boards of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan to attend the meeting and engage in dialogue during the February 15 match.
Aminul Islam explained in an interview that the gathering aims to de-escalate strained relations following the removal of Bangladesh from the World Cup schedule and the initial refusal of Pakistan to face India in Colombo.
The BCB chief added that ICC officials structured the meeting as a formal session, arranging pavilion seating for all participants to encourage dialogue and publicly demonstrate cooperation among Asian cricket stakeholders.
Islam highlighted that Pakistan initially resisted playing against India but eventually agreed after consultations, emphasizing the significance of the match for ICC members, revenues, and the large subcontinental cricketing audience.
“I felt strongly that if Pakistan refused to play, it would prove disastrous for the ICC. All 107 member countries are involved in the ICC structure, and the revenues are distributed among them,” he said.
It is worth noting that Islam visited Pakistan last week to meet PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, where ICC directors Imran Khwaja and Mubashir Usmani also met the PCB and BCB chiefs to discuss the crucial matter.
The meeting in Lahore involved high-level discussions, reflecting cricket diplomacy and solidarity between Pakistan and Bangladesh, while also considering the broader political sensitivities affecting relations with India.
Islam noted that the discussions were vital to preserving constructive relationships, stressing the pivotal role of Bangladesh and the need for collaboration to safeguard regional cricket development and upcoming tournaments.
ICC later confirmed that Bangladesh faced no sanctions over its non-participation, reaffirming its valued status as a full member and recognizing its importance in global cricket governance and future competitions.