Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Participation Depends On Government Decision, Says Mohsin Naqvi After Bangladesh Exit
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its handling of Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup 2026 and said Pakistan’s participation in the tournament would depend on a decision taken by the Pakistani government.
Bangladesh decided not to send its team for the T20 World Cup after Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders. The Bangladesh Cricket Board cited security concerns as the primary reason for its decision and requested the ICC to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka.
The ICC, however, chose not to alter the existing schedule, following which Bangladesh confirmed its decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 after discussions with players on January 22. Bangladesh also asked the ICC to refer the matter to the dispute resolution committee, but the appeal was rejected.
Subsequently, the ICC decided to replace Bangladesh with Scotland for the tournament on Saturday, January 24.
Reacting to the development, Naqvi said the ICC could not operate with double standards and that Bangladesh should be allowed to participate in the World Cup.
“Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. I said the same in the board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC). You cannot have double standards, where one country can make whatever decision whenever and do the total opposite for another country,” Naqvi said, as quoted by Dawn.
“That is why we have taken the stand that Bangladesh is being treated unfairly and should be allowed to play the World Cup in any case. They are a major stakeholder and this injustice should not be done,” he added.
WILL PAKISTAN BOYCOTT T20 WORLD CUP?
When asked whether Pakistan could follow Bangladesh’s route and boycott the T20 World Cup, Naqvi said the PCB would act according to the instructions of the Pakistan government.
“Our stance [on World Cup participation] will be what the government of Pakistan instructs me. The Prime Minister is not in Pakistan right now. When he returns, I’ll be able to give you our final decision. It’s the government’s decision. We obey them, not the ICC,” Naqvi said, as quoted by Cricinfo.
Asked if Pakistan had contingency plans in case it did not take part in the tournament, Naqvi said multiple backup options were in place.
“Let the decision come first; we have Plan A, B, C, D,” he said.
SHOULD BANGLADESH BE ALLOWED A HYBRID MODEL?
Pakistan follows a hybrid model for ICC events held in India, with its matches scheduled in Sri Lanka. The same arrangement applies to the T20 World Cup 2026, with Pakistan’s matches set to be played in Colombo.
Naqvi said a similar arrangement should be extended to Bangladesh, noting that it is a full ICC member nation, like Pakistan and India. He added that no country should be allowed to dictate terms to another.
“The thing is that Bangladesh is the same member as Pakistan. And our stance is that if you have done this favour with Pakistan and India, then you should do the same with Bangladesh,” he said.
Also Read: Bangladesh Officially Out Of T20 World Cup, ICC Name Scotland As Replacement
“The main reason for this is that one country cannot dictate another. And if this dictation is attempted, then Pakistan definitely has its own stance,” Naqvi added.
Pakistan and India are scheduled to face each other in the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 15 in Colombo, with both teams placed in Group A.