ICC could penalize Pakistan if they boycott T20 World Cup:Apex body might impose sanctions- ‘no bilateral series with any international team’

The International Cricket Council (ICC) might slap a series of sanctions on Pakistan if they end up boycotting the T20 World Cup 2026. A day ago, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi called out the ICC for ‘double standards’ for excluding Bangladesh from the tournament. Bangladesh were removed from the T20 World Cup after they remained adamant on their stance of not playing in India, despite having a number of discussions with the ICC. The ICC included Scotland as Bangladesh’s replacement in the tournament. ICC likely to punish Pakistan if they boycott T20 World Cup According to a report in The Indian Express, a source said that the ICC might impose a number of sanctions on Pakistan if they also boycott the T20 World Cup. These sanctions include no bilateral series, among others. “If Pakistan also decides not to play the T20 World Cup, the ICC will impose a series of sanctions, including no bilateral series with any international team, no NOC for foreign players in PSL, and no Asia Cup participation,” the report quoted the source as saying. Also read: ‘If we signed Jasprit Bumrah and removed him…’: Bangladesh coach says players ‘disappointed’, but life moves on after T20 World Cup drama Mohsin Naqvi criticised ICC, backing Bangladesh after T20 World Cup drama After Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup, Naqvi had criticised the ICC’s decision and threw Pakistan’s T20 World Cup participation into uncertainty. “Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. One country can make any decision whenever, while it is the opposite for another. Bangladesh is a major stakeholder and this injustice should not happen,” Naqvi said while speaking to reporters.
“The Prime Minister is not in Pakistan right now. When he returns, I’ll be able to give you our final decision. It’s the government’s decision. We obey them, not the ICC. If the government of Pakistan says we mustn’t play, then maybe the ICC will bring in a 22nd team (after Scotland). It’s up to the government,” he added. Pakistan are scheduled to play all matches in Sri Lanka The ICC in 2024 had said that all India and Pakistan matches would be played at neutral venues after the BCCI did not agree to send a team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The ICC Champions Trophy was hosted by Pakistan, while India played all games in the UAE. On similar lines, Pakistan are scheduled to play all matches in Sri Lanka including their clash against India on 15 February. Salman Ali Agha and his men are placed in Group A and are slated to start their T20 World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on 7 February.