ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board has directed team management toprepare a parallel plan for non-participation in the ICC Men’s T20 WorldCup 2026, amid escalating tensions surrounding Bangladesh’s refusal totravel to India for the tournament. Reliable sources indicate that PCBChairman has instructed officials to halt routine preparations and informthe team later about the future course of action. This development followsBangladesh’s formal request to shift its group-stage matches out of Indiaciting security concerns, a position Pakistan has described as valid andreasonable. The situation has introduced significant uncertainty just weeksbefore the event commences on February 7 in the co-hosted India-Sri Lankatournament.
The controversy originated when the Board of Control for Cricket in Indiadirected Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Bangladeshi pacer MustafizurRahman from their IPL 2026 squad, prompting widespread protests inBangladesh over perceived bilateral strains. In response, the Bangladeshgovernment banned IPL broadcasts, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board formallynotified the International Cricket Council of its unwillingness to playmatches in India, emphasizing player safety amid heightened communalsensitivities. Multiple rounds of talks between BCB and ICC representativesin Dhaka have failed to resolve the impasse, with the BCB reiterating itspreference for all fixtures in Sri Lanka, the co-host.
Pakistan has extended unequivocal backing to Bangladesh, assuring fulldiplomatic and cricketing support after Dhaka reached out to Islamabad.Government sources emphasize that no nation should face undue pressure orthreats regarding participation in global events, validating Bangladesh’sapprehensions as legitimate. On January 11, the PCB offered to hostBangladesh’s matches in Pakistan if Sri Lankan venues prove insufficient,underscoring its readiness with facilities proven through recent successfulICC tournaments like the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The PCB’s decision to seek a contingency strategy reflects a conditionalstance on its own involvement. Sources confirm that if the Bangladesh issueremains unresolved, Pakistan will review its participation, potentiallywithdrawing from the 20-team mega-event. This position raises the stakesconsiderably for the ICC, as the absence of two prominent Asian teams coulddisrupt the tournament’s integrity and competitive balance. Pakistan’sgroup fixtures are already scheduled entirely in Sri Lanka under priorbilateral arrangements with India, providing logistical flexibility buthighlighting broader regional frictions.
The ICC maintains that no specific or heightened security threat exists forthe Bangladesh team in India, based on independent assessments classifyingoverall risks as low to moderate, consistent with major global sportingevents. It has rejected proposals for group swaps with Ireland, whosematches occur solely in Sri Lanka, and set January 21 as the deadline forBCB’s final decision on participation. Should Bangladesh opt out, Scotlandstands as the likely replacement based on current ICC T20I rankings.Despite these assurances, both BCB and PCB view the concerns through a lensof political and safety priorities.
The evolving scenario underscores shifting dynamics in South Asian cricketrelations following political changes in Bangladesh since August 2024.Improved ties between Islamabad and Dhaka contrast with strainedIndia-Bangladesh interactions, influencing decisions beyond the field. Asthe February-March tournament approaches, the ICC faces mounting pressureto broker a resolution that preserves participation while respectingsovereignty over security matters. The PCB’s proactive measures signal aunited front with Bangladesh, potentially reshaping preparations for one ofcricket’s premier global showcases.
Source:https://www.news18.com/cricket/pakistan-to-review-participation-in-t20-world-cup-2026-if-bangladesh-issue-remains-unresolved-report-ws-no-9840398.html
ogimageimage-name
