Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Participation Hinges on Government Decision - Mohsin Naqvi

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 participation has been cast into doubt after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the final call will rest with the federal government, launching a sharp critique of the ICC’s handling of Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament.

Naqvi spoke hours after the ICC confirmed Scotland as Bangladesh’s replacement, following Dhaka’s refusal to play its scheduled matches in India. Calling the decision “an injustice,” Mohsin Naqvi accused the ICC of applying “double standards” and made it clear that Pakistan would not act independently of government direction.

“Our position will be exactly what the government of Pakistan decides,” Naqvi said. “The Prime Minister is not in the country right now. Once he returns, we will have clarity. This is not the PCB’s decision alone. We follow the government, not the ICC.”

Pakistan has emerged as Bangladesh’s strongest ally throughout the standoff. At recent ICC discussions, the PCB was understood to be the only board openly backing the BCB’s demand for a neutral venue, after Bangladesh raised security concerns over traveling to India. Those concerns intensified earlier this month when the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad.

When Bangladesh refused to back down, the ICC formally removed them from the competition.

“Bangladesh have been treated unfairly,” he said. “You cannot have one rule for one country and a different rule for everyone else. Bangladesh is a major cricket nation. They deserve to be playing in the World Cup.”

Naqvi stressed that the board’s hands are tied. “If the government tells us not to play, then that’s the position. Maybe the ICC adds another team. That’s not for us to decide.”

Pakistan is scheduled to play all their matches in Sri Lanka under an existing agreement with the ICC and BCCI and is down to face the Netherlands in the tournament opener on February 7. For now, however, Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 participation hinges on clearance.