In a dramatic twist ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has announced that the national team’s participation will be decided by the government. This comes after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament due to the latter’s refusal to play matches in India.
The PCB, standing in solidarity with Bangladesh, has approached Pakistan’s government for guidance on whether to commit to the event. Naqvi, who also serves as the country’s Interior Minister, made the revelation during a press briefing in Lahore on Saturday. ‘Whether we play in the T20 World Cup or not will be decided by the government. Our Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently abroad. Upon his return, we will seek his advice. The government’s decision will be final and binding,’ Naqvi stated emphatically.
He added that if the Prime Minister declines, the ICC could easily slot in a replacement team, underscoring the precarious position Pakistan finds itself in amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in cricket. Naqvi hinted at contingency plans, saying, ‘We have Plans A, B, and C ready to deploy if needed. We’ve navigated similar situations during the Champions Trophy, so this is familiar territory for us.’
Naqvi didn’t hold back in criticizing the ICC, accusing it of bias towards one nation—widely interpreted as India. ‘One country is calling the shots. When venues were shifted for Pakistan and India, why wasn’t the same done for Bangladesh?’ he questioned. He described the treatment of Bangladesh, a major stakeholder in world cricket, as unjust and vowed to reveal more details at the appropriate time.
The ICC confirmed on Saturday evening that Scotland would take Bangladesh’s spot in Group C, joining Italy, Nepal, England, and West Indies. As the highest-ranked team left out of qualifiers, Scotland’s inclusion strengthens the group. This development has ignited debates about cricket’s neutrality, with Pakistan’s potential boycott adding fuel to the fire. Fans worldwide are watching closely as governments and cricket boards navigate this high-stakes impasse.
