ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is considering a possible withdrawal from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament, a move that has raised serious concerns in Islamabad over what it sees as unfair and discriminatory conduct by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Sources in government circles told that the federal government may not allow the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send the national team to the tournament, which is scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The concern stems from the ICC’s refusal to allow Bangladesh to play its matches in Sri Lanka despite citing security issues, a decision that eventually led to Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland.
A final decision is expected after a key meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad on Monday.
“The final call rests with the prime minister, but initial signals suggest the government may not permit Pakistan’s participation,” a senior government source said. “This is not merely a cricketing issue; it is about principles. Bangladesh has been denied its legitimate right, and the ICC’s step-motherly treatment has compelled Pakistan to rethink its position.”
The source added that international sports bodies should not be influenced by the preferences of a single nation. “There cannot be double standards. One country is allowed to choose venues freely, while another is denied flexibility despite genuine security concerns,” the official said.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has already expressed strong reservations about the ICC’s handling of the matter, warning that replacing Bangladesh with Scotland highlights inconsistency and undermines fairness in global cricket governance. However, he stressed that the PCB would follow the federal government’s directive.
“The PCB is bound to act in accordance with the government’s decision,” Naqvi said.
Pakistan’s players have also rallied behind the chairman, agreeing unanimously during a meeting in Lahore to abide by the government’s stance on participation.
If Pakistan withdraws, it could send shockwaves through international cricket, intensifying debates over governance, neutrality, and equity at the highest level of the sport.
