Pakistan's participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is uncertain as of now. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday informed that the final decision is yet to be taken. He said this after a brief meeting with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Naqvi, who is also the interior minister of Pakistan, met with the PM to take his advice on the situation, after which a call was expected to be made. But Naqvi informed them that they are going to take some time to finalize their decision.
PCB boss had a meeting with the PM
On the social media platform 'X,' he informed, "The final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday."
It is now believed that Pakistan may not wish to miss the entire tournament, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) can counter the possible situation in a unique way. According to media reports, if Pakistan wants to withdraw from the tournament, then the council can include Bangladesh again in the competition.
Bangladesh in, Pakistan out?
While the Bangladesh cricket team's matches were originally scheduled in Kolkata, India, Pakistan will play in Sri Lanka. In case Pakistan refuses to play in the 2026 World Cup, then the vacant spot can be filled by bringing back Bangladesh into the tournament. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) asked to shift their matches from India to Sri Lanka due to their 'security and safety concerns' over the cricketers.
ICC did not approve BCB's demand and removed them from the tournament. Scotland will play in place of Bangladesh. After this, if Pakistan refuses to play, then the ICC can ask Bangladesh to play the tournament, following the fixtures of the Pakistan cricket team, which are in Sri Lanka.
"If Pakistan decides to withdraw, Bangladesh would be given the opportunity to replace them in Group A and play all their matches in Sri Lanka as per BCB’s original request. This arrangement would pose limited logistical challenges," an official informed the Hindustan Times.
Pakistan can violate their own demands
It seems that the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan government both do not want to make a decision in a hurry. Naqvi discussed the situation with the PM and keeping all options on the table to resolve the matter.
"Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister... 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 (on participation) will be taken either on Friday or next Monday," Naqvi wrote on 'X' after the meeting with the Prime Minister.
It was also learned that if Pakistan wants to skip the tournament, then it could be a violation of the deal. Because of Pakistan, the ICC tournament will be conducted in a hybrid form. Because of the conflict with India, Pakistan will play the T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Sri Lanka.
"It was on PCB’s demand that an understanding of the hybrid model was worked out between the Indian and Pakistani boards. By not playing, they would be violating a deal they themselves had worked for," the official further said.
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