Pakistan government blocks PCB from sending team to T20 World Cup 2026

Mohsin Naqvi with Pakistan Cricket Team. Image Credits: X

The Pakistan cricket team is reportedly considering a possible withdrawal from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 next month in India and Sri Lanka. The possibility emerged as part of Pakistan’s protest against the International Cricket Council (ICC) following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the showpiece event.

It is worth noting that earlier this month, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Bangladesh government refused to send the Bangladesh team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Moreover, the Bangladesh board even urged the ICC to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka instead, citing “security concerns”.

However, with just weeks remaining to the launch of the global T20 event, the ICC refused to entertain BCB’s demands and replaced an adamant Bangladesh team with Scotland.

Pakistan stands firm with Bangladesh on T20 World Cup row

As reported by GeoSuper.tv on Sunday, January 26; the Pakistan team is considering a complete boycott of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Earlier, the PCB had refused to send the Pakistan team to India for the showpiece event citing security concerns, prompting the ICC to co-host the tournament between India and Sri Lanka.

However, another controversy erupted earlier this month when the BCB decided to follow Pakistan’s suite in boycotting India, doing so at a time when venues and schedule was already locked in. Bangladesh, citing security concerns even though the ICC found no such threat in their assessment, eventually got booted out from the tournament in favor of Scotland.

Both PCB and several BCB officials are now alleging “double standards” on part of the ICC, considering the apex body had granted India a separate venue in the UAE last year for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Pakistan’s final decision to be confirmed on Monday

While the PCB and the Pakistan team is reportedly considering to pull out of the 2026 T20 World Cup next month, a final decision will be expected on Monday, January 26 after a meeting between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif.

A senior Pakistan government source said, “The final decision rests with the prime minister, but early indications suggest that the government may not allow Pakistan to participate in the T20 World Cup.”

India-Pakistan-Bangladesh tensions boil as cricket gets caught in the crossfire

The controversy exploded after the BCCI instructed the KKR franchise to expel senior Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad earlier this month. The BCCI was forced to make the radical call in light of nationwide protests over the rise of rising anti-India sentiment and the attack on religious minorities in Bangladesh.

The BCB fired back by banning the broadcast of IPL matches in the country, and by refusing to send the Bangladesh team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The board’s anti-India stance ended up backfiring for Bangladesh cricket big time as they were excluded from the tournament’s 20-team roaster by the ICC.

As of now, it remains to be seen whether Pakistan follows Bangladesh’s path and withdraws, or if last-minute diplomacy prevails to keep the marquee clash alive at the T20 World Cup.