T20 World Cup row: Pakistan participation uncertain after Bangladesh’s exit; PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi to meet players | Cricket News
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi will meet members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad to address concerns over the team’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament, Pakistan news outlet Geo News reported on Sunday.Doubts over Pakistan’s participation came up during the squad announcement press conference on Sunday. When asked about Pakistan’s chances of playing in the World Cup, chief selector Aaqib Javed said, “As players and management, we are preparing for the World Cup, and it is up to the PCB and government to take a final call.”The squad was announced at a media conference attended by PCB director of high performance and Men’s national selection committee member Aqib Javed, Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha.Naqvi is expected to brief the players on the situation regarding the World Cup and explain the board’s approach, A Sports reported, citing sources.The final decision on Pakistan’s participation will be taken after consultations with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.Speaking on Saturday, Naqvi had said Pakistan’s participation now depends on government approval, following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected their request to shift matches out of India due to security concerns.“Whether we play in the T20 World Cup or not, the decision will be taken by the government. PM (Shahbaz Sharif) is out of the country. When he comes back, 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,” Naqvi said in Lahore.Naqvi also said the PCB has backup plans in place. “We have alternate plans A, B, and C, which we can use when the time comes. We have done this before during the Champions Trophy, so nothing new for us, and we know how to deal with such matters.”His comments came after the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the upcoming T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, following Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India for the tournament.Any withdrawal by Pakistan would pose a challenge for the ICC, as the India-Pakistan match is the tournament’s biggest source of revenue, estimated at around USD 500 million.Pakistan could also face financial consequences, with the ICC possibly viewing a withdrawal as unjustified since matches are scheduled at a neutral venue and no security concerns have been identified.
