PCB chief Naqvi to attend India T20 World Cup clash, hold talks with ICC officials

Karachi: PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will be in Colombo for Sunday's Pakistan-India T20 World Cup encounter, with the visit also expected to include talks with ICC officials following a brief boycott episode that threatened the marquee fixture.

A source said senior PCB officials, including Pakistan Super League CEO Salman Naseer and Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed, will accompany Naqvi to Sri Lanka for the Group A clash, which is slated to start in the late evening at the R Premadasa Stadium.

"The Sri Lankan board has invited officials from other boards as well but the reason for Naqvi going is to have discussions with ICC Chairman, Jay Shah and other officials on the sidelines to break the ice after the boycott fiasco," the source said.

Relations between the ICC and Pakistan were strained earlier this month after the Pakistan government directed its cricket team not to play the India match in Colombo, a stance taken in solidarity with Bangladesh following Dhaka's refusal to travel to India for its World Cup fixtures on security grounds.

Bangladesh were subsequently replaced by Scotland in the 20-team field.

After days of intense diplomatic and cricket board engagement involving the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the PCB, Pakistan reversed its decision and confirmed it would take the field against India.

The source said top officials from the Indian and Bangladesh boards will also be in Colombo and there are high chances of an impromptu meeting on the sidelines with the ICC Chairman and other officials.

The source said before leaving for Colombo the PCB chief had met again with the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday and both had discussed the existing cricket scenario and Pakistan's policy regarding the ICC and its relations with fellow boards.

"Naqvi will be in a position to have productive talks in Colombo having gotten clearance from the Premier," the source said.

Pakistan had reversed their boycott decision after Naqvi had a meeting last Sunday with Bangladesh counterpart Aminul Islam and ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja in Lahore.