Pakistan has postponed a definitive decision on their participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, following a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday. Following the debate, Naqvi noted that the topic is still being considered, with all possibilities on the table, and that a final decision is expected either Friday or next Monday.
The doubts over Pakistan’s involvement come after the International Cricket Council (ICC) disqualified Bangladesh from the 20-team event when they refused to travel to India because of fears for their players’ safety. Bangladesh was ultimately replaced with Scotland and angered both the PCB and Pakistan government.
“Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday,” Naqvi wrote on X.
According to Geo News, Pakistan may still pull out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, as the ICC’s handling of Bangladesh’s situation has reportedly not gone down well in Islamabad. The report adds that if the concerns of the men’s team are not addressed satisfactorily, the central government could refuse to grant permission for the team to travel.
PCB Names Squad but Participation Unclear
Pakistan is also said to be considering a boycott of their group-stage clash against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. This would be in line with the existing agreement between the PCB, BCCI and the ICC, which stipulates that all India–Pakistan matches will be held at neutral venues until 2027.
While the confusion lingered on, Pakistan had on Sunday unveiled a 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup with Salman Ali Agha leading the way. However, the PCB chairman issued a caution, making it clear that naming the squad does not guarantee participation, stressing that official clearance is essential, especially for matters involving India.
Naqvi has repeatedly stated that the PCB is awaiting the Pakistan government’s final stance before taking any call. The T20 World Cup will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7, and the ICC has set January 30 as the deadline for all teams to submit their final squads.
