T20 World Cup: ICC Decides on Back-Channel Contacts to Persuade Pakistan, Sources

Sports Report
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The International Cricket Council has decided to pursue back-channel diplomacy to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its reported decision not to play India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, sources said.
Indian media claimed that ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja has been assigned the task of engaging with Pakistani cricket officials through informal channels.
The development comes after Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly informed the ICC of its decision not to participate in matches against India, citing ongoing bilateral tensions between the two countries.
Sources familiar with the matter said the ICC is concerned about the commercial and sporting implications of a potential Pakistan-India standoff, as matches between the rivals generate substantial revenue and viewership.
The ICC has not officially commented on the reported back-channel efforts or confirmed any penalties that might be imposed if Pakistan maintains its position.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket series since 2012-13, meeting only in major ICC tournaments. Their encounters draw massive global audiences, particularly from South Asia.
Cricket officials from both countries have often used behind-the-scenes diplomacy to resolve tournament participation disputes in the past.
The T20 World Cup is one of cricket’s premier tournaments and features teams from around the globe competing for the championship.
Neither the Pakistan Cricket Board nor the ICC has issued an official statement regarding the reported back-channel initiative.