The International Cricket Council (ICC) has requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to provide a detailed explanation for invoking the Force Majeure clause in its decision to boycott the February 15 T20 World Cup clash against India in Colombo.

According to a Cricinfo report, the PCB cited government orders as the reason for the boycott in an email to the ICC, linking the move to Pakistan’s solidarity with Bangladesh, which was removed from the tournament.

Force Majeure is a legal concept that allows parties to be excused from obligations due to unforeseen events beyond their control, such as natural disasters or war.

Under the ICC Members Participation Agreement, a government order can also constitute a Force Majeure event.

The ICC has asked the PCB to demonstrate the steps it has taken to mitigate the situation, and outlined the evidence required to legitimately invoke Force Majeure, as well as the potential sporting, commercial, and governance consequences.

The ICC maintained that if the boycott proceeds without justification, it could claim material damages, and in extreme cases, suspend or terminate Pakistan’s membership under its constitution.

Within the PCB, officials believe they have a strong case, citing a precedent where the Indian government’s refusal to grant permission for matches was accepted as justification in a previous dispute over a bilateral series.

That case, however, was handled by the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee and did not result in damages for the PCB.

Meanwhile, back-channel discussions continue between ICC directors Imran Khwaja and Mubashir Usmani and PCB officials, in an effort to reach a resolution.

Neither the ICC nor the PCB has made an official statement on the matter.