After all the fire and brimstone from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about boycotting the T20 World Cup, protesting the ouster of Bangladesh, it may eventually end up toeing the line. Mohsin Naqvi, who had earlier stated that all options were open, toned down the rhetoric on Monday after his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz (Shahbaz) Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday," the PCB chief said in a social media post.

Prior to the Naqvi-Sharif meeting, Pakistan media speculated that the team might boycott the marquee India game on February 15, but the general impression is that they will have no option but to follow the World Cup schedule.

Pakistan have been made aware that any breach of their participation agreement with the ICC could invite severe sanctions, including suspension from global and continental tournaments and the withdrawal of NOCs for overseas players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Besides, it is understood that they would have no grounds to boycott either the tournament or the India match at a venue of their choosing.