ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed its final decision on participation in next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India, keeping open the option of a partial or symbolic boycott after Bangladesh’s withdrawal over security concerns triggered a growing diplomatic and sporting fallout.
The PCB delayed the appeal for up to a week following consultations between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as Islamabad mulls its response to the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland at short notice.
In an article on We briefed him on the ICC issue and he ordered that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table.
Naqvi added that it had been agreed that the final decision would be made next Friday or Monday, as Pakistan assesses the implications of continuing with the tournament, while protesting what it sees as inconsistent and politically influenced decision-making by the ICC.
Sources within the PCB say one option under discussion would be to boycott the high-profile group stage clash against India on February 15 in Colombo, a match considered one of the most lucrative matches in world cricket despite the sporting cost of the points package.
The ICC decision follows Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India and its request to relocate matches to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns, a request supported by Pakistan in pointing to last year’s Champions Trophy hybrid arrangement for India.
Naqvi has publicly criticized what he calls the ICC’s “double standards”, arguing that while hybrid models were acceptable in previous cases, Bangladesh deserved similar consideration, while warning that “one country cannot dictate another” in ICC cases.
Pakistan’s campaign is set to begin against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, followed by matches against the United States, India and Namibia, with Super Eight matches split between Colombo and Kolkata and the final set on March 8.
The PCB president is also scheduled to meet the national team after the World Cup roster was announced, with preparations continuing amid uncertainty with the government retaining the final say on Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features 20 teams, divided into four groups, with the top teams progressing to the Super Eight stage of the tournament. Matches are being hosted in India and Sri Lanka under a hybrid hosting arrangement.
Pakistan and India have been placed in Group A. Pakistan will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, followed by a match against the United States on February 10. The much-anticipated Pakistan-India group stage match is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, with Pakistan finishing their group match against Namibia on February 18.
The Super Eight stage will take place from February 21 to March 1, with matches hosted in Colombo and Kolkata. The two semi-finals are scheduled for March 3 and 5, while the final will take place on March 8, with Ahmedabad and Colombo being the designated venues.
The Pakistan-India clash is considered the biggest match of the tournament given the unprecedented rivalry between the two teams, especially the recent acrimony when the Indian side refused to shake hands with Pakistan in all three matches played in the Asia Cup in the UAE.
“The PCB is considering not playing India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in protest against the ICC’s decision not to allow Bangladesh to play their matches in Sri Lanka. The biggest competition of the global tournament is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka on February 15,” Cricinfo.com said in a report.
“The two main rivals are in Group A and could face each other again in the semi-final or final. If Pakistan decides to boycott the match, two points would be awarded to the Indian national cricket team. This could also have a financial impact on the PCB,” it added.
(COURTESY AGENCIES AND PRESS OFFICE COMMITTEE)
