The geopolitical tremors shaking the 2026 T20 World Cup have intensified. Following the ouster of Bangladesh from the tournament, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi has cast a massive shadow of uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation, citing "double standards" and "injustice" by the International Cricket Council.
Speaking after the ICC officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, Naqvi did not mince words. He argued that since the ICC allowed a hybrid model for the India-Pakistan rivalry; where Pakistan plays all its matches in Colombo, the same courtesy should have been extended to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. One country can make any decision whenever, while it is the opposite for another. We obey the government of Pakistan, not the ICCMohsin Naqvi, PCB Chairman
Naqvi confirmed that the final decision rests with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently abroad. Pakistan is scheduled to play the tournament opener against the Netherlands on February 7.
Sources indicate that the ICC is prepared to impose unprecedented penalties if Pakistan withdraws. This isn't just a fine; it’s a total lockout from the international ecosystem.
Ironically, Pakistan is the primary beneficiary of the current hybrid arrangement. Under the 2024-27 rights cycle agreement, India and Pakistan play each other on neutral territory for all global events.
| Proposed Sanction | Impact on Pakistan Cricket |
|---|---|
| Bilateral Series Ban | Zero international matches against full ICC members. |
| PSL Lockdown | Denying No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for all foreign players. |
| Asia Cup Exclusion | Immediate removal from all ACC-organized tournaments. |
| Financial Freeze | Withholding of Pakistan's share of ICC revenue distributions. |
The PCB's argument: If Pakistan can play in Sri Lanka to accommodate India's travel stance, Bangladesh should have been allowed to do the same to address their security concerns.
The ICC's counter: The independent security review for India was "low to moderate," making a last-minute schedule change for Bangladesh "unfeasible."