ISLAMABAD — Pakistan will make a final decision on its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 either on Friday or early next week, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said Monday.
Naqvi’s comments came after a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which he briefed the premier on recent developments involving the International Cricket Council and the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Speaking on social media platform X, Naqvi said the prime minister had instructed officials to approach the issue cautiously.
“He directed that we resolve the matter while keeping all options on the table,” Naqvi said, adding that it was agreed a final call would be taken “either on Friday or next Monday.”
ICC–Bangladesh dispute sparks uncertainty
The meeting followed reports that Pakistan was considering a potential boycott of the tournament after the International Cricket Council rejected a request by the Bangladesh Cricket Board to move its matches to a venue outside India.
Bangladesh had sought a venue change after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League on instructions from India’s cricket board, triggering backlash in Bangladesh.
On Saturday, the ICC announced that Bangladesh would be replaced by Scotland in the tournament, citing scheduling constraints ahead of the Feb. 7 start date. The ICC said it found no “credible or verifiable security threat” to Bangladesh’s national team in India.
Bangladesh’s exclusion subsequently fuelled speculation that Pakistan might also reconsider its participation.
Politics and cricket collide again
Relations between Bangladesh and India have been strained following political upheaval in Bangladesh, including the departure of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to India after mass protests. Those tensions have since spilled into cricket.
Bangladesh responded to Mustafizur’s IPL exclusion by banning IPL broadcasts domestically and demanding that its World Cup matches be moved to Sri Lanka.
The dispute echoes earlier standoffs in South Asian cricket. During last year’s Champions Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India maintained its policy of not touring Pakistan due to political tensions. A similar “hybrid model” was adopted for the 2023 Asia Cup, allowing India to play its matches in Dubai while the rest of the tournament was held in Pakistan.
Neutral venue arrangement in place
Under an agreement running until 2027, Pakistan is scheduled to play its matches at neutral venues for ICC events hosted in India. For the 2026 T20 World Cup, Pakistan’s fixtures are set to be played in Sri Lanka.
Naqvi did not indicate whether Pakistan’s decision would challenge that arrangement, but said consultations were ongoing as officials weigh their next steps amid the evolving situation.
The PCB is expected to announce its final decision in the coming days.