Pakistan's participation uncertain after Bangladesh row

Pakistan's cricket future at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 hung in the balance on Monday following high-level talks between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, amid diplomatic tensions after Bangladesh was removed from the tournament.

Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister, met with Sharif in Islamabad to brief the prime minister on the escalating row between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). He emerged from the meeting without a firm commitment on Pakistan's participation, instead saying that all options remained on the table and a final decision would likely be taken by the end of the week.

"We have discussed the matter with the prime minister," Naqvi wrote on social media platform X, adding that the government has directed that the issue be resolved while keeping every scenario under consideration. A definitive announcement on Pakistan's involvement is expected by Friday or next Monday, he said.
Bangladesh's exit and Scotland's inclusion
The crisis stems from the ICC's decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the T20 World Cup after Dhaka refused to send its team to India, citing security and political concerns. Bangladesh had sought to relocate its group matches to neutral venues; the ICC rejected the request, saying it had found no credible threat to the team's safety. Scotland has now been elevated into Group C alongside England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies.

The BCB has accepted the ICC's decision and will not challenge it, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty surrounding its own participation. However, the move has reverberated across the cricketing world - not least in Pakistan, which publicly supported Bangladesh's stance.

Pakistan's dilemma
Naqvi has lambasted the ICC for what he calls "double standards", asserting that Bangladesh was treated unfairly and should have been accommodated, similar to arrangements made in past tournaments. In remarks to Pakistani media before the prime ministerial meeting, Naqvi urged the ICC to consider a hybrid model that would allow Bangladesh to compete without travelling to India - an option previously adopted in Indo-Pak fixtures.

The PCB's position has appeared to gain the support of Pakistan's national team, which at a recent meeting in Lahore pledged its full backing for the board's principled stance. Players said they were ready to support whatever course of action the PCB and the government adopted, including a possible boycott of the tournament if advised by Islamabad.

Despite naming Salman Ali Agha as captain and announcing a 15-member squad, Pakistan has not officially confirmed its participation. Naqvi has repeatedly emphasised that the decision ultimately lies with the federal government, underscoring that preparations remain "on hold" pending political direction.

ICC's position and wider fallout
The controversy has drawn reactions from across the cricketing fraternity. Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal emphasised the crucial role of both India and Pakistan in sustaining the T20 World Cup's commercial and competitive viability, saying the event would struggle to proceed without the involvement of marquee teams.

Meanwhile, voices beyond the subcontinent have also weighed in, with critics arguing that the broader political climate - including recent tensions between India and Bangladesh - has cast a shadow over the sport at a time when cricket was preparing for one of its biggest global showcases.

Countdown to the Tournament
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. With less than two weeks until kickoff, Pakistan's status remains unresolved, and its players, administrators and fans are watching closely as political and sporting pressures converge on a decision that could reshape the tournament and the politics of international cricket.