India vs Pakistan - (Source: X.com)
The focus has shifted from Bangladesh to Pakistan for the T20 World Cup 2026 as the Salman Ali Agha-led side are now in focus regarding their participation for the mega-event. Earlier, Bangladesh complaint to the ICC requesting their games to be moved out of India. However, after rounds of dialogue, the Jay Shah-led council decided to throw Bangladesh out of the tournament.
Bangladesh’s exit put pressure on PCB as they vowed support to the BCB and also threatened ICC of pulling out of the tournament, unaware of the fact that ICC might actually kick Bangladesh out. Nonetheless, now eyes are on Pakistan, and there were several reports in the past few days hinting that the Mohsin Naqvi-led board are contemplating a few options.
PCB to make a decision on February 1
On Monday, January 26, PCB head held a meeting with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Shariff and two options were pitched on the table - boycott the entire event or boycott the India-Pak match on February 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The meeting took place, but nothing concrete came out of it. "Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz 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," tweeted Naqvi.
Pakistan seriously considering boycotting the India match
After Naqvi’s tweet, there were murmurs that the PCB will send their team for the T20 World Cup 2026, fearing sanctions from the ICC. However, in the latest events, a report from NDTV stated that the PCB is seriously thinking about boycotting India match and have figured out a plan to avoid ICC sanctions.
Notably, the report mentioned that the PCB will put the decision on government and label it as PM’s decision, citing safety, which is why the ICC cannot sanction a board for a cabinet’s decision.
“A total boycott of the event is not the top priority, however, Pakistan could forfeit the group match against India to be held on Feb 15. For this, solid grounds are available to the PCB, which could avoid any sanctions or penalty on it from the ICC,” a report in Dawn as quoted by NDTV.
"Pakistan can say it is following the instructions of the government in not playing against India. In that case, the ICC cannot impose any cash penalty or sanctions on the PCB," the report added.
What were the sanctions ICC planned to put on Pakistan?
Notably, when there were threats that Pakistan might pull out of T20 World Cup 2026, a report mentioned that the ICC too has threatened the PCB with sanctions. Therefore, if the PCB do dare to pull out, then they will have to pay a hefty price.
According to an Express Sports report, the ICC will restrict Pakistan from playing any bilateral series and dismiss the NOCs of overseas players in the PSL, while also banning the Men in Green from the Asia Cup if the PCB decides not to send its team to the T20 World Cup.
