Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has claimed that Pakistan does not have the guts to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026. This comes after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi threatened to skip the tournament after ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the marquee event over their unwillingness to travel to India. Pakistan will be playing all their T20 WC games at a neutral venue in Sri Lanka.
‘Don’t have guts’
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Rahane reckoned that Pakistan will not skip the T20 World Cup 2026 as they did not have the guts to do so. Pakistan inserted themselves in the battle between ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and even offered to host Bangladesh’s matches in their country apart from issuing other empty threats. However, none of their suggestions were approved by the ICC and instead, the global body warned Pakistan against boycotting the marquee tournament, stating that they could face sanctions.
“I don’t think they will do it. They don’t have the guts,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has clarified that the squad announcement should not be read as a final commitment. Pakistan is yet to confirm their participation and the board is awaiting direction from the Pakistan government before taking a call on travelling to Sri Lanka next month.
“We are waiting for the government’s advice and whatever the government tells us to do, we will do it. If they don’t want us to go for the World Cup, we will follow it,” Naqvi told the players.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule
| Date | Match | Teams | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Feb 7 | 1st Match, Group A | Pakistan vs Netherlands | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club | 11:00 AM |
| Tue, Feb 10 | 12th Match, Group A | Pakistan vs United States of America | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club | 7:00 PM |
| Sun, Feb 15 | 27th Match, Group A | India vs Pakistan | Colombo, R. Premadasa Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| Wed, Feb 18 | 35th Match, Group A | Pakistan vs Namibia | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club | 3:00 PM |
