No India vs Pakistan Bilateral Series: ICC Rejects PCB's Demand Ahead Of World Cup Clash

India vs Pakistan: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) demand to resume bilateral cricket series with India. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions after the Pakistan government refused to allow its team to face India during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

According to sources, the PCB raised the issue of restarting bilateral ties during a recent meeting, arguing that cricketing relations between the two countries should be restored. However, the ICC made it clear that bilateral series fall outside its jurisdiction and reiterated that such matters depend on mutual consent between the respective cricket boards and governments.

The PCB's demand surfaced shortly after Pakistan confirmed it would not play India in the ongoing T20 World Cup, citing directions from the federal government. The refusal has already sparked controversy within the tournament, with the ICC seeking formal explanations from the PCB over its stance.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, with encounters between the two sides limited to ICC and Asian Cricket Council tournaments. The BCCI has consistently maintained that any bilateral engagement with Pakistan requires clearance from the Indian government.

With the ICC rejecting the PCB's push, the prospect of an early resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral cricket remains distant. For now, their rivalry continues to be confined to multi-nation tournaments, while the political impasse between the two countries keeps full-fledged bilateral cricket on hold.