Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly received invitations to attend the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting and the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 in Ahmedabad, according to sources.
The ICC is expected to hold a series of important meetings later this month, including sessions of the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) and the ICC Board. These meetings are likely to focus on several major cricketing matters, including discussions regarding the future structure of the World Test Championship (WTC).
According to reports, the CEC meeting will take place virtually on May 21, while the ICC Board meeting is scheduled to be held in person on May 30 and 31 in Ahmedabad, India.
IPL 2026 final also set for Ahmedabad
The IPL 2026 final is also scheduled to take place on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, one of the world’s largest cricket venues.
Sources say Mohsin Naqvi has been invited not only to participate in the ICC meetings but also to attend the final of the cash-rich T20 league. The invitation is being viewed as a significant development given the strained political and cricketing relations between Pakistan and India in recent years.
PM Shehbaz to make final decision
According to sources, Naqvi has forwarded the invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who will decide whether the PCB chairman should travel to India for the events.
Because Mohsin Naqvi also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, any visit to India carries political and diplomatic importance beyond cricket alone.
Officials have not yet confirmed whether Pakistan will formally accept the invitation.
Political tensions create uncertainty
Although ICC events generally involve participation from all member nations, ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India have created uncertainty regarding cross-border visits by officials and players.
Cricket relations between the two countries have remained limited for years, with bilateral series largely suspended due to political disagreements. Pakistan and India mostly face each other only during multinational tournaments organized by the ICC or the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Analysts believe Naqvi’s possible visit could attract significant attention in both countries because of the broader political context surrounding Indo-Pak relations.
Meetings were previously postponed
The upcoming ICC meetings were originally planned for March and April in Doha, Qatar. However, they were postponed because of regional security concerns and conflicts in the Middle East.
The rescheduled gatherings in Ahmedabad are expected to bring together senior cricket administrators from around the world to discuss future ICC events, governance issues, and long-term cricketing policies.
Focus on World Test Championship future
One of the key topics likely to be discussed during the ICC meetings is the future format and structure of the World Test Championship. Cricket boards are expected to debate scheduling, qualification systems, and the overall direction of Test cricket in the coming years.
The outcome of these discussions could play an important role in shaping the international cricket calendar beyond 2027.
