Why not inform the ICC? Decoding PCB’s act of adding to the boycott intrigue

Unless it knows officially from the PCB, there is nothing to suggest that Pakistan will not turn up on 15 February.

• Pakistan has not officially informed ICC about skipping the India game on Feb 15
• ICC awaits PCB's formal communication, delaying action or alternatives.
• Emergency ICC board meeting expected as back-channel talks continue

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Pakistan has not yet informed the ICC about its decision of not playing the India game on 15 February in Colombo. It has now been more than 24 hours since the government tweeted saying the team will participate in the World Cup but not play the India game. And Pakistan has already landed in Sri Lanka as well.

Why is it that the PCB is delaying the official communication? What could be the reason as to why it hasn’t been able to send an email or a letter informing the ICC? In the absence of any official communication, what should or can the ICC do going forward? Is this a deliberate act of adding to the intrigue surrounding the whole issue, or is it just the PCB being the PCB?

Ask people in the know in Pakistan, and all you get is silence. “We can’t speak” is the common refrain. Push them, and one says, “But the ICC has issued a press release based on what the Pakistan government tweeted, so clearly the ICC has taken cognisance and is aware of the stand.” You remind him that the ICC release very clearly states that it hasn’t received anything officially from the PCB and is waiting for it, and yet again, you are met with a stony silence.

This is clearly a deliberate act. If you don’t communicate, the ICC can’t impose a sanction. Unless it knows officially from the PCB, there is nothing to suggest that Pakistan will not turn up on 15 February. And unless the ICC knows, it can’t act.

Every day matters, and a delay will only further end up harming the tournament. ICC will not have time to plan alternatives, and there will be no way that it can stop Pakistan from participating. It is a very well thought-out move where inaction speaks louder than any form of action. The PCB is testing the ICC’s patience and trying to see if the governing body takes suo moto action or if it waits for a few more days to see what the PCB is up to.

Sources within the ICC say they are fed up. While the primary responsibility of the ICC is to deliver the World Cup, it is equally concerned with the welfare of the global game in the medium or long term. Pakistan’s decision to boycott will hurt a number of associate member countries, who are all paid by the ICC from this kitty, and that’s where the governing body feels let down. The money generated by an India-Pakistan game sustains associate member cricket and that’s why it is so critical from the standpoint of governance.

Pakistan, by saying that it won't play the game on 15 February, has now taken a bilateral issue with India out of context and moved to harming the very foundations of the game of which it is a part.

Will the ICC push the issue? Will they act tough and really move to isolate and alienate Pakistan? Will there be suspension, or is all of this mere talk? Ask people, and you know the ICC is dead serious. They know Pakistan stands to harm the spor,t and that’s what it can't let happen. As the governing body of the sport, the ICC has to ensure that no member board holds the sport to ransom, precisely what the Pakistan board is trying to do.

So while the Pakistan establishment can very well decide not to inform the ICC formally and convey what it has decided, back-channel talks are already on to address the issue. There will be an emergency board meeting soon enough, and much will depend on the member boards when they come together to deliberate on the matter. The grapevine has it that Pakistan could find itself at a point of no return. If that’s the case, world cricket will change forever in the next few weeks.