Pakistan Cricket is in hot water after its government directed its cricket team to forfeit the marquee India match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Last Sunday, the Government of Pakistan’s official social media handle (X) mentioned that the Men in Green will participate in the 20-team tournament; however, they also clarified that Pakistan will not take the field against India on February 15 in Colombo in their scheduled Group A fixture, threatening to boycott the game. The apex body, the ICC, has issued fresh warnings to the PCB over facing potential legal actions from the Indian broadcaster JioStar.&nbsp;According to the news agency PTI, the ICC has informed the PCB that JioStar is plotting legal action against them should they not change their stance. Besides battling legal notices, the ICC could also impose heavy financial penalties on Pakistan Cricket for failing to fulfil its obligations, also including withholding PCB’s entire annual revenue share, which is nearly $35 million. &nbsp;What would hurt PCB more is that the ICC could ask them to pay the broadcasters out of its purse.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/the-250-million-risk-why-an-india-pakistan-2026-t20-world-cup-boycott-could-tank-revenues-1770117294726">The $250M Risk: Why an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup boycott could tank revenues</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, considering that Mohsin Naqvi, also an interior minister in the Pakistan government, chairs PCB, the cricket board is unlikely to go against its government’s decision, thus preparing for a deadly blow both on and off the field. Barring the potential (abovementioned) sanctions that could follow, Pakistan Cricket is also likely to be docked WTC points, with the ICC also restricting teams from touring Pakistan in future. &nbsp;"If Pakistan doesn't relent and play against India, not only will they face financial penalties, perhaps a lawsuit from broadcasters, but also any efforts to go to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) are likely to fail," a source close to the information said in a chat to PTI. "The PCB might face problems regardless of their government directive to not play India, as they are playing all their matches at a neutral venue (Sri Lanka) as per their wishes and not in India.” &nbsp;"Secondly, while the Indian government has not given permission to its team to play in Pakistan, it has not stopped them from playing against Pakistan at neutral venues in the Asia Cup or ICC events even after the May conflict," the source added. &nbsp;Explaining if the Indian broadcaster (JioStar) is within its rights to legally challenge the PCB for pulling out of the India game, the source said, "When the ICC signed its four-year deal with the broadcaster for all ICC events, the contract included Pakistan and India matches, based on which the broadcaster made the payments to the ICC.” &nbsp;“So, the broadcaster will be within its rights to take the PCB and ICC to court over a major breach of the contract,” the source added.

The apex body, the ICC, has issued fresh warnings to the PCB over facing potential legal actions from the Indian broadcaster JioStar for pulling out of the India game at the T20 World Cup. 

Pakistan Cricket is in hot water after its government directed its cricket team to forfeit the marquee India match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Last Sunday, the Government of Pakistan’s official social media handle (X) mentioned that the Men in Green will participate in the 20-team tournament; however, they also clarified that Pakistan will not take the field against India on February 15 in Colombo in their scheduled Group A fixture, threatening to boycott the game. The apex body, the ICC, has issued fresh warnings to the PCB over facing potential legal actions from the Indian broadcaster JioStar. According to the news agency PTI, the ICC has informed the PCB that JioStar is plotting legal action against them should they not change their stance. Besides battling legal notices, the ICC could also impose heavy financial penalties on Pakistan Cricket for failing to fulfil its obligations, also including withholding PCB’s entire annual revenue share, which is nearly $35 million. What would hurt PCB more is that the ICC could ask them to pay the broadcasters out of its purse. Also read | The $250M Risk: Why an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup boycott could tank revenues Meanwhile, considering that Mohsin Naqvi, also an interior minister in the Pakistan government, chairs PCB, the cricket board is unlikely to go against its government’s decision, thus preparing for a deadly blow both on and off the field. Barring the potential (abovementioned) sanctions that could follow, Pakistan Cricket is also likely to be docked WTC points, with the ICC also restricting teams from touring Pakistan in future. "If Pakistan doesn't relent and play against India, not only will they face financial penalties, perhaps a lawsuit from broadcasters, but also any efforts to go to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) are likely to fail," a source close to the information said in a chat to PTI. "The PCB might face problems regardless of their government directive to not play India, as they are playing all their matches at a neutral venue (Sri Lanka) as per their wishes and not in India.” "Secondly, while the Indian government has not given permission to its team to play in Pakistan, it has not stopped them from playing against Pakistan at neutral venues in the Asia Cup or ICC events even after the May conflict," the source added. Explaining if the Indian broadcaster (JioStar) is within its rights to legally challenge the PCB for pulling out of the India game, the source said, "When the ICC signed its four-year deal with the broadcaster for all ICC events, the contract included Pakistan and India matches, based on which the broadcaster made the payments to the ICC.” “So, the broadcaster will be within its rights to take the PCB and ICC to court over a major breach of the contract,” the source added.

The apex body, the ICC, has issued fresh warnings to the PCB over facing potential legal actions from the Indian broadcaster JioStar for pulling out of the India game at the T20 World Cup.&nbsp;

T20 World Cup: ICC warns PCB of legal action from JioStar after India match boycott threat - Report

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and JioStar issued a joint statement on Friday (Dec 12)to dismiss recent reports claiming that their media rights deal in India was in trouble. Both sides made it clear that nothing has changed and the agreement is still active. The statement said that the current media rights contract between ICC and JioStar ‘remains fully in force,’ and that JioStar continues to be the ICC’s official media rights partner in the Indian market. Some media reports had suggested that JioStar had walked away from the agreement, but the organisations said these claims were not true. JioStar also said it is fully committed to meeting all its responsibilities. The statement added that the company will follow every part of the agreement ‘in letter and spirit.’ Both sides stressed that all planning for the upcoming ICC events is moving ahead without any issues.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-2026-ticket-shocker-fifa-faces-fan-backlash-over-sky-rocketing-prices-1765536244829">World Cup 2026 ticket shocker: FIFA faces fan backlash over sky-rocketing prices</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ICC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JioStar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JioStar</a> reaffirm that their media rights agreement in India remains fully in force. Details of joint statement: <a href="https://t.co/YILwLJORl5">https://t.co/YILwLJORl5</a> <a href="https://t.co/HTdN7y4eCQ">pic.twitter.com/HTdN7y4eCQ</a>&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1999499173855678469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This includes the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, one of the biggest cricket tournaments in the world. The broadcast and digital plans for the event are already in progress, and both organisations said that preparations are going smoothly. The statement was released to end confusion after certain reports raised doubts about the future of the partnership. By confirming that the contract is still active, ICC and JioStar tried to send a clear message to fans, broadcasters, and the wider cricket industry. With this clarification, the focus now returns to the busy ICC calendar ahead. JioStar will continue handling both television and digital coverage in India as planned. For fans, this means there will be no changes in how they watch major ICC events next year. The ICC and JioStar did not share more details beyond the clarification. But their strong response shows they want to keep the partnership steady as the sport enters a packed season.

 JioStar will continue handling both television and digital coverage in India as planned. For fans, this means there will be no changes in how they watch major ICC events next year.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and JioStar issued a joint statement on Friday (Dec 12)to dismiss recent reports claiming that their media rights deal in India was in trouble. Both sides made it clear that nothing has changed and the agreement is still active. The statement said that the current media rights contract between ICC and JioStar ‘remains fully in force,’ and that JioStar continues to be the ICC’s official media rights partner in the Indian market. Some media reports had suggested that JioStar had walked away from the agreement, but the organisations said these claims were not true. JioStar also said it is fully committed to meeting all its responsibilities. The statement added that the company will follow every part of the agreement ‘in letter and spirit.’ Both sides stressed that all planning for the upcoming ICC events is moving ahead without any issues. Also read | World Cup 2026 ticket shocker: FIFA faces fan backlash over sky-rocketing prices

&nbsp;JioStar will continue handling both television and digital coverage in India as planned. For fans, this means there will be no changes in how they watch major ICC events next year.

ICC–JioStar media rights chaos? The two giants respond with a stunning clarification

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T20 World Cup: ICC warns PCB of legal action from JioStar after India match boycott threat - Report

ICC–JioStar media rights chaos? The two giants respond