The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically denied any reports of wanting to skip the T20 World Cup 2026 in support of Bangladesh’s plea to relocate their matches from India. The development comes hours after reports had claimed that PAK would stay away from the marquee tournament if the International Cricket Council (ICC) does not entertain BAN’s request. Bangladesh’s plea seeking relocation of their games from India to Sri Lanka has been rejected multiple times by the ICC, as per reports.
Pakistan won’t boycott T20 World Cup 2026
As per RevSportz, a PCB source told the publication that the stance of the PCB on avoiding the T20 World Cup 2026 in support of Bangladesh was not that of the board’s. The source claimed that Pakistan doesn’t have the right to boycott the games as they were already playing all their matches at a neutral venue – Sri Lanka.
“Nope, this is not the PCB’s stand. Pakistan don’t have any ground to do so, for the ICC would tell the PCB that they are already playing their matches in Sri Lanka. People just float such things to fire up the issue,” the PCB source said.
Amid soaring tensions between India and Bangladesh, the latter has exchanged multiple letters with the ICC so far – ranging from relocation of their matches to even swapping groups with Ireland. All this in a bid to not play either against or in India. But much to their dismay, nothing has gone in their favour so far. The ICC has stood firm, insisting the original schedule will remain unchanged and setting a January 21 deadline for a final decision
The roots of the conflict trace back to the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad on BCCI instructions, a move that triggered outrage in Bangladesh and led to a ban on IPL broadcasts. With the tournament set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, the ICC has little time left to find a compromise.
Cricket
'Pakistan don't...': PCB backtracks on skipping T20 World Cup 2026, supporting Bangladesh
