The ICC has delivered a straight warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). A warning that no board can afford to go against. Well, any attempt to mirror Bangladesh’s boycott of the T20 World Cup 2026 could leave Pakistan cricket cut off from the international system.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the global body is deeply unhappy with recent remarks made by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and has made it clear that a Bangladesh-like refusal will invite serious consequences.
This warning comes in the immediate aftermath of Bangladesh being officially replaced by Scotland for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh were removed after repeatedly refusing to travel to India despite security clearances, board-level votes and a final 24-hour deadline issued by the ICC. Pakistan’s vocal support for Bangladesh, and the suggestion that PCB may also reconsider participation, just didn’t sit well with ICC.
“If Pakistan also decides not to play the T20 World Cup, the ICC will impose a series of sanctions, including no bilateral series with any international team, no NOC for foreign players in PSL, and no Asia Cup participation,” a source told the publication.
The ICC’s position is strict. Allowing one Full Member to unilaterally reject tournament conditions, and then allowing another to do the same, would weaken the entire structure of global events. Bangladesh’s removal was already seen internally as unavoidable, after continuous warnings. ICC just cannot afford to lose Pakistan now, as it would hit the T20 World Cup 2026 very hard on so many fronts.
ICC threatens Pakistan with…
If the PCB decides not to participate in the T20 World Cup, it will face a series of sanctions. These include suspension of all bilateral cricket, denial of No Objection Certificates for overseas players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and exclusion from the Asia Cup. This basically would end all of Pakistan’s revenue streams. PCB can’t be run without bilaterals, Asia Cup due to marquee IND vs PAK match and of course the PSL.
Naqvi had earlier said Bangladesh was treated unfairly and argued that if Pakistan was allowed a hybrid model in ICC events, the same should apply to Bangladesh. Pakistan had even written to the ICC in support of the BCB and offered to host Bangladesh’s matches. Naqvi even mentioned that Pakistan is yet to take a call on T20 World Cup 2026 participation, as it will consider talks with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif.
However, within the ICC, the Bangladesh case is viewed as a closed chapter. After an ICC Board vote went 14-2 against relocating Bangladesh’s matches, the BCB was asked to confirm participation as scheduled. When that did not happen, the ICC proceeded with a replacement.
“We are waiting for the prime minister to return. Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. I said the same in the board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC). You cannot have double standards, where one country can make whatever decision whenever and do the total opposite for another country,” Naqvi said while speaking to media on Saturday.
“That is why we have taken the stand that Bangladesh is being treated unfairly and should be allowed to play the World Cup in any case. They are a major stakeholder, and this injustice should not be done. The thing is that Bangladesh is the same member as Pakistan. And our stance is that if you have done this favour with Pakistan and India, then you should do the same with Bangladesh. The main reason for this is that one country cannot dictate to another. And if this dictation is attempted, then Pakistan definitely has its own stance,” Naqvi said.
