JioHotstar can take legal action against Pakistan for forfeiting India clash in T20 World Cup 2026

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it could take legal action from the World Cup host broadcasters, JioHotstar, if it continues its stance of forfeiting the contest against India from the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to take place on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Pakistan’s decision to boycott came from the country’s government, and the board is yet to write a formal letter to the ICC about the decision. The reports have claimed that there is a chance that the ICC may freeze their full share of annual review, which is around USD 35 million, or nearly INR 3 crores, and use the fund for the broadcasters.

See Also: ‘Know how to hold bat…’- Supreme Court appeals new rule for non-cricketers running cricket bodies

“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. The PCB might face problems regardless of their government directive to not play India.” The reports claimed.

JioHotstar in prospect to take legal action against Pakistan

It was noted that the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, consulted the board’s legal advisors before having a brief session with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the matter last week. The board is preparing for the serious issues. Their opening clash of the event will be on February 07 against the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

“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 board expressed, according to the source, who tracks Naqvi closely.

“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 reports have been added.