Pakistan cricket team - (Source: AFP)On Saturday, January 25, Bangladesh was shown the exit door from the T20 World Cup 2026 after the ICC refused to entertain their demand to shift the venue outside India. After the decision, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chair Mohsin Naqvi announced that they might also review their participation in the ICC event.The ICC vs Bangladesh saga went on for a few days, and the Jay Shah-led council also sent a delegate to Dhaka to resolve issues. However, the talks failed, and eventually, Scotland replaced Bangladesh.Soon after ICC’s official decision, the focus shifted to Pakistan, who vowed their support to Bangladesh in their fight against the International Cricket Council. Notably, reports suggested that the 2009 winners threatened ICC with their participation if BCB’s demand was not met. Now with Bangladesh out, eyes are on the Men in Green, whether they take a stance for their Asian counterpart or take a U-turn by travelling to Sri Lanka for the big tournament.Pakistan name T20 World Cup squad but casts doubt on participationOn Sunday, January 25, the PCB gave a shock to Bangladesh after they named a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. The decision turned heads as it hinted at PCB’s decision to play the tournament. However, right after the announcement, a press release took place, where the PCB Director of High Performance and a member of the national selection committee, Aaqib Javed, reinstated the boycott debate by stating that the matter is still in the government’s hands, whether the Salman Ali Agha-led side will travel to Sri Lanka or not.Since Scotland replaced Bangladesh, there is a debate as to who will replace Pakistan if the PCB decides to skip the upcoming T20 World Cup, and this article will shed light on exactly that.Uganda to replace Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026According to direct qualification rules, the top 7 teams from the previous tournament, excluding hosts, earn a direct qualification for the next edition. At present, Pakistan are ranked seventh, and the team below them earns a qualification spot for the T20 World Cup 2026.Interestingly, Afghanistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia, the UAE, Nepal, the USA, Canada, and Oman have already qualified for the World Cup. Meanwhile, Uganda, who are 21st on the list, will earn a qualification and will be placed in group A alongside India, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands.For the unversed, Uganda missed out on direct qualification as they finished 3rd in group B of the African qualifiers for the T20 World Cup 2026.Can Bangladesh still make a return in T20 World Cup 2026?Ever since Pakistan’s threat to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026, the fans have pointed out a new thoery, which actually favour Bangladesh. In case the Men in Green pull out of the tournament, then Bangladesh can actually ask the ICC to reinstate them as a replacement for the Men in Green.Since Bangladesh is higher in the rankings, they can be brought back and will also have their wish fulfilled to play all their games in Sri Lanka, because Pakistan have their games scheduled in the Island Nation.
