PCB chairman Naqvi says Pakistan government will decide on T20 World Cup 2026 participation after Bangladesh ouster
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday said the Pakistan government will take the final and binding decision on whether its national team will participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup, following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the matter would be placed before Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who is currently out of the country, once he returns.
“Whether we play in the T20 World Cup or not, the decision will be taken by the government,” Naqvi said.
“Our PM (Shahbaz Sharif) is out of the country. When he comes, we will take advice from him. The decision by the government will be final and binding, and if they say no, then they (ICC) may invite any other team.”
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Bangladesh lost its place in the T20 World Cup after refusing to travel to India citing security reasons, a move that prompted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to replace it with Scotland.
Pakistan is scheduled to play all its matches in Sri Lanka as per an agreement with the BCCI.
The PCB was the only member nation to support Bangladesh’s demand to move its matches to Sri Lanka, as 14 others voted against it. Naqvi said Bangladesh, which he described as a “big stakeholder” in world cricket, had been unfairly treated by the ICC.
“Bangladesh is a big stakeholder and they have been unfairly treated in this case. This I maintained in Wednesday’s meeting as well and their stance has many factors which I will tell when the situation arrives,” he said.
The PCB chairman also questioned what he termed as selective decision-making by the global body, alleging that “one member nation” was exerting undue influence.
“One country is dictating. When the ICC changed venues for Pakistan and India in a favour, then why it was not done for Bangladesh?” asked Naqvi.
“Our policy and position are clear. When the time comes, and the government makes a decision, everyone will know about it. We are not under the ICC; we are subservient to our government. Once the PM returns, he will decide. We will follow government directives.”
Published on Jan 24, 2026
