The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has mistakenly confirmed the Pakistan cricket team’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026. Following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament by the International Cricket Council (ICC), PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that Pakistan will reconsider travelling to Sri Lanka since the ICC has shown double standards.
PCB highlighted that India was allowed to play the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai, despite Pakistan being the hosts, but Bangladesh isn’t being allowed to play in Sri Lanka. Therefore, accusing the ICC of preferential treatment. Naqvi had stated that he’ll announce PCB’s final decision by Monday (February 2).
PCB’s big slip-up
3 days before their own deadline, PCB mistakenly revealed that they won’t skip the T20 World Cup. On Friday (January 30) night, the PCB released a media statement, informing that fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr has been released from Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing T20I series against Australia.
However, PCB mistakenly mentioned that Wasim Jr was getting released because he isn’t in the T20 World Cup team, and the board wants only those who will fly to Sri Lanka to play the last two matches against Australia. What they’d forgotten was that they hadn’t confirmed that they’ll play the ICC event.
“Update on Pakistan T20I Squad. Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jnr has been released from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the remaining two matches of the series against Australia. Pakistan will compete in the series with the 15-member squad that will travel onwards for the ICC Cricket World Cup,” the original release read.
Releasing the mistake, PCB deleted it from social media. But the deed was done. It proved reports correct, which were suggesting that Pakistan would land in Colombo on February 2 and play a warm-up match against Ireland at the Sinhalese Sports Club two days later.
“Update on Pakistan T20I Squad. Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jnr has been released from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the remaining two matches of the series against Australia,” the updated release read.
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