Mohsin Naqvi meets Pakistan PM on T20 World Cup issue:PAK continue drama despite releasing squad for the tournament, no decision on participation

Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup has come under a cloud, with reports suggesting that the Pakistan cricket team may boycott their high-profile group-stage match against India. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering not playing the match scheduled to be held in Colombo on February 15, as a show of support for Bangladesh. The issue has escalated to the highest level, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi set to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. A final decision on Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup and the India match is expected after this meeting. The controversy began after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their matches against India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. However, the ICC stated that there was no security threat and insisted that Bangladesh play in India. When Bangladesh refused, the ICC removed them from the tournament and replaced them with Scotland. No IND vs PAK clash in the T20 WC 2026? According to Pakistan’s news channel Geo News, Pakistan is likely to boycott the most high-profile match of the tournament after Bangladesh was snubbed, replacing Scotland for the ICC event. However, PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi set to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The final decision on Pakistan’s participation in the clash against India at the T20 World Cup will be taken after this meeting. Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh after being snubbed from the tournament PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has openly criticised the ICC’s decision, calling it unfair treatment of Bangladesh. He argued that if India and Pakistan can be given neutral venues, the same option should have been extended to Bangladesh. Naqvi said the PCB stands firmly with Bangladesh and is waiting for the Pakistani government’s direction before taking any final call. He added that the board is preparing multiple plans depending on the outcome of talks with the Prime Minister. ICC warns Pakistan of strict action The ICC has taken a strong stance on the matter. After PCB hinted at withdrawing from the tournament, the ICC warned that strict action would be taken if Pakistan pulls out of the World Cup or refuses to play any scheduled match. Media reports suggest that Pakistan could face serious consequences, including removal from future ICC tournaments. There are also concerns that the PCB may struggle to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for hosting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) if they defy the ICC. A boycott could prove costly for Pakistan If Pakistan decides not to play the group-stage match against India, they will automatically lose two crucial points, severely hurting their chances of reaching the knockout stage. The PCB could also suffer major financial losses, as the India-Pakistan clash is one of the most valuable fixtures in world cricket. The ICC would also face financial setbacks if the match does not take place, given the massive global viewership and sponsorship revenue linked to the encounter. Bangladesh’s removal and security concerns Bangladesh’s demand to play their matches in Sri Lanka was rejected by 14 out of 16 member nations during an ICC board meeting. After being given time to reconsider, Bangladesh stood firm, leading to their removal and Scotland’s inclusion in Group C. The situation worsened after Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders following political and social unrest in Bangladesh. After this, Bangladesh banned IPL broadcasts and claimed their players were unsafe in India. The ICC, however, maintained that there were no security lapses and proceeded with its original schedule, setting the stage for one of the biggest controversies ahead of the T20 World Cup.