Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is unlikely to travel to India to attend the Indian Premier League (IPL) final in Ahmedabad on May 31.
According to an International Cricket News report, the invitation to Naqvi is linked to the upcoming meetings of the International Cricket Council rather than the IPL final.
The clarification comes amid speculation that he will be heading to India, where the IPL 2026 final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Sources indicate that Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, is expected to attend the ICC discussions instead of traveling in person.
The ICC is scheduled to hold a series of meetings, including the Chief Executive Committee (CEC) on May 21, followed by board meetings in Ahmedabad on May 30 and 31.
The sessions coincided with the IPL final, fueling further speculation of possible high-level cricket diplomacy.
However, reports make it clear that the CEC meeting will be held virtually and will not include discussions on men’s cricket. Instead, the agenda is expected to focus on women’s cricket and business matters such as data monetization and mobile gaming.
The proposed reorganization of the World Test Championship (WTC) is also not expected to be discussed at the CEC level. Instead, any major decisions will be taken at the ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad.
A task force headed by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Tooce has recommended expanding the WTC from nine to 12 teams, including Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The proposal also suggests that one-off Test matches should be included in the WTC points system.
However, concerns have been raised over the competitive balance, particularly about the percentage-based points system, which critics argue favors teams playing fewer but strategically easier matches. Due to this, doubts have arisen whether the expansion will be approved.
Separately, the ICC has engaged consulting firm Oliver Wyman to explore data monetization strategies. It is also expected to review opportunities in mobile gaming as part of its broader business expansion plans.
Discussions have been complicated by the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), with many full members and associate nations affiliated to the organisation, which is said to be highly sensitive to the negotiations.
In parallel developments, an ICC delegation has visited Sri Lanka to review the administrative changes in Sri Lankan cricket following the recent administrative restructuring initiated under the Special Sports Act.
ICC vice-president Imran Khwaja and Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Devajit Saikia were expected to meet Sri Lankan President Anurakumar Dissanayake to discuss reforms in the island nation’s cricketing structure.
An interim body named the Sri Lankan Cricket Transformation Committee, headed by Eran Wickramaratne and comprising former cricketers Roshan Mahanama, Sidhu Wettimuni and Kumar Sangakkara, continues to oversee governance reforms in the ICC member bodies.