Overview
- Pakistan’s board has told the national team to ease up on preparations and signaled it may reconsider participation, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi engaged in talks backing Bangladesh’s stance.
- Bangladesh maintains it will not travel to India and has asked either for its matches to be moved to Sri Lanka or for a group swap with Ireland to keep all fixtures in Sri Lanka.
- Reports say the ICC is seeking clarity by January 21, though the BCB says it has not been given a formal ultimatum after meetings with ICC representatives in Dhaka.
- The ICC’s commissioned risk assessment cites no specific threat and rates India venues low to moderate risk, while reports note that unilateral withdrawal could attract fines of up to $2 million under participation rules.
- Contingencies under discussion include Pakistan offering to host Bangladesh’s fixtures and Scotland being called up if Bangladesh withdraws or is excluded, according to multiple reports.