PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi will reportedly travel to Sri Lanka to attend the India versus Pakistan match.
The high-voltage India versus Pakistan clash in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will take place at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (February 15).
Ahead of the marquee fixture, it is reported that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi will travel to Sri Lanka to attend the match. His visit is also expected to include talks with ICC officials following a brief boycott episode that nearly derailed Sunday’s encounter.
According to a PTI report, senior PCB officials, including Pakistan Super League CEO Salman Naseer and Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed, will accompany Naqvi to Sri Lanka.
“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 news agency quoted a source as saying.
The Pakistan government made a dramatic U-turn last week, directing its men’s cricket team to play the scheduled T20 World Cup group-stage match against India.
Earlier, the Men in Green were asked to boycott the lucrative fixture as an act of solidarity with Bangladesh after the ICC replaced the Tigers with Scotland in the 20-tournament for refusing to travel to India citing 'security concerns'.
After days of negotiations involving the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the PCB, Pakistan reversed the decision and confirmed it would take the field against India.
Meanwhile, the source also claimed top BCCI and BCB officials will also be in Colombo and there are high chances of an impromptu meeting on the sidelines with the ICC chairman Jay Shah 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.
(With PTI Inputs)