Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will have a final say on whether Pakistan will play the T20I World Cup 2026 being hosted by India from February 7.
The situation arose after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s request to move their World Cup matches outside India over security concerns.
Though Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the T20I World Cup but said it is awaiting the final decision from the government. “Let prime minister come first,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who went to Davos last week to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), on his way back stayed in London for few days. He is now on his way to Islamabad.
Mohsin Naqvi has issued a strong warning to the ICC after Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He told newsmen that Pakistan’s participation in the tournament will depend entirely on the government’s decision.
Naqvi said Bangladesh had been treated unfairly. He called them an important part of world cricket. “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 the ICC’s decision-making process. He suggested that one country had too much control. “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.
Naqvi stressed that the PCB answers only to the Pakistan government, adding, “Our policy and position is clear when the time comes, and the government takes a decision, everyone will know about it. We are not under the ICC, we are subservient to our government. Once the prime minister returns, he will decide. We will follow government directives.”
