- Sanaullah acknowledges the financial repercussions of the boycott.
- Support for Dhaka will benefit in the long run, says PM’s advisor.
- Pakistan-Bangladesh relations could enter a new phase: Sanaullah.
Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday called on Pakistan to “stand with Bangladesh” following its decision to avoid traveling to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, noting the possible long-term benefits.
“I think we need to stand with Bangladesh on this. It will be in our long-term interest,” he said during a speech on PK Press Club News “Naya Pakistan” program.
The senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, however, acknowledged the financial repercussions for Pakistan cricket in the event of a potential boycott of the tournament.
“Maybe we will get less money. We can manage with less money, but the decision will have far-reaching consequences if Pakistan stands with Bangladesh today,” he added.
Earlier today, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup following Dhaka’s refusal to send its team to India for the event.
Soon after, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi said the board would decide on participation in the tournament as per government guidelines.
“Prime Minister [Shehbaz Sharif] is currently not in the country. We will announce the final decision after it [PM] return to the country,” Naqvi added.
Meanwhile, Sanaullah said Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh could help bridge historical gaps between the two nations, dating back to the fall of Dhaka in 1971.
“We could enter a new phase of relations in which Pakistan and Bangladesh will be like two brothers,” he added.
The PML-N leader stressed that Pakistan’s support should be for Bangladesh as a country, and not for any particular political party or government.
Referring to the withdrawal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), he said the Indian cricket board had removed the player without looking into his political affiliation.
PCB opposes exclusion of Bangladesh
Pakistan extended support to Dhaka in its decision to avoid traveling to India and also wrote a letter to the ICC, expressing support for the concerns of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Speaking to the media earlier in the day, the CPC chief said Bangladesh had been “treated unfairly” by the ICC, saying Pakistan would announce the final decision on its participation after receiving directives from the government.
“I said the same thing at the ICC board meeting. You cannot have double standards, where one country can make any decision at any time and do the opposite for another country,” Naqvi said.
“The fact is that Bangladesh is the same member as Pakistan. And our position is that if you have done this favor to Pakistan and India, then you should do the same to Bangladesh,” he added.
Naqvi condemned any attempt by one “country” to dictate another, saying Pakistan would present its own position if such attempts were made.
India-Bangladesh tensions
Relations became strained between Bangladesh and India after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi following protests against her.
Political tensions have spilled over into cricket.
Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out of this year’s IPL despite signing with his Kolkata franchise. Bangladesh responded by banning IPL broadcasts in the country and demanding that World Cup matches be played in Sri Lanka.
The BCB also refused to send its team to India, which is co-hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup alongside Sri Lanka, citing concerns over the safety and security of players and staff members.
The standoff reflects previous tensions in South Asian cricket.
For the Champions Trophy last year, the Indian Cricket Board maintained its policy of not traveling to Pakistan due to strained political ties between the bitter neighbors, who only play each other at ICC events.
As with the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, a “hybrid model” was agreed under which India was allowed to play its Champions Trophy matches in Dubai to save the tournament.
Under the terms of the agreement valid until 2027, Pakistan is expected to play its 2026 T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
The 20-team World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7.
