Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi has claimed that the team could potentially sport black armbands during the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India on February 15. This comes after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the marquee event after the former refused to travel to India for the marquee event citing security concerns for their players amid soaring tensions between both nations. This is Pakistan’s latest step after offering to host Bangladesh’s WC games in their country and pledging their support to the nation in this matter.
Pakistan to wear black armbands against India?
As per a report by Telecom Asia Sport, a PCB source has claimed that Pakistan could potentially wear black armbands in the contest against India in order to show support for Bangladesh. The source claimed that the PCB chairman had met Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on Monday and had breifed him about the matter involving India around the T20 World Cup 2026. The report also claims that the Pakistan PM has instructed the PCB to write a letter to the ICC regarding the Bangladesh issue.
“The team could wear black armbands in the match or issue a statement in support of Bangladesh before it,” the source said.
Bangladesh had initially written to the ICC, refusing to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 following BCCI asking KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman before IPL 2026. They had cited security concerns for their players. However, an independent assessment by the global body found no concerns for the players, in addition to which it tried to convince the BCB to visit India. The BCB refused to change their stance, and as a result, Bangladesh were replaced by Bangladesh. Meawhile, Pakistan in the past had not only offered to host Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup games but had also pledged their unconditional support to the country in the ongoing row. They have also been warned by the ICC of stringent actions if they boycott the marquee event. While Pakistan did comply initially by announcing their squad, the PCB chairman has stated that a final decision on participation in the T20 World Cup will be taken based on consultation with the Pakistan government.
