T20 World Cup 2026: Broadcasters mull over court move against Pakistan for India game boycott

The Pakistan Cricket Board is set to face a potential legal and financial battle after it decided to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. With broadcasters reportedly threatening legal action and the International Cricket Council warning of serious consequences, Pakistan’s refusal to play the February 15 fixture in Colombo has triggered intense criticism over contractual obligations and the politicisation of global cricket events.

Pakistan’s decision to boycott the India game was taken on instructions from its government, a stance later publicly admitted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, the PCB has yet to formally communicate its reasons to the ICC in writing. The boycott is being viewed as an act of solidarity with Bangladesh following their removal from the tournament. While political motivations have been cited internally, the lack of official clarification has complicated matters for both the ICC and its commercial partners.

ICC considering withholding Pakistan’s entire annual revenue share

The match in question was scheduled to be played at a neutral venue in Sri Lanka, a condition Pakistan itself had earlier sought and accepted. This has weakened PCB’s argument, especially as India has previously competed against Pakistan at neutral venues during ICC events and Asia Cups despite bilateral tensions.

According to sources quoted by NDTV, the ICC has warned the PCB that official broadcasters JioStar could initiate legal proceedings over the boycott. The broadcaster’s four-year media rights agreement with the ICC was negotiated on the assumption that India-Pakistan fixtures would be played.

Broadcasters are reportedly assured nearly USD 1 billion in revenue from four India-Pakistan clashes across ICC events in the current cycle. The sudden withdrawal from one such fixture is seen as a major breach of contract. As a result, the ICC is considering withholding Pakistan’s entire annual revenue share, estimated at around USD 35 million, and redirecting those funds to compensate the broadcasters.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, is said to have consulted legal experts before briefing Prime Minister Sharif. However, insiders indicate that the board is bracing for severe repercussions. Sources have warned that any attempt by the PCB to seek relief through the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) is unlikely to succeed, as the body does not hear appeals against decisions made by the ICC board itself.