The Pakistan Cricket board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has hinted at the possibility of the country boycotting the T20 World Cup 2026. This comes after Scotland replaced Bangladesh in Group C following the reluctance of the latter to play their matches in India despite repeated attempts by the ICC to convince them. Pakistan has made attempts to sympathize with BAN on this issue in the past as well, including sending a letter to the ICC expressing their support as well as offering to host Bangladesh’s matches in Pakistan.
Pakistan to skip T20 World Cup?
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Naqvi claimed that the PCB would take a call on participating in the T20 World Cup after consultation with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. The PCB chairman claimed that the PM wasn’t present in the country at the moment and that a decision would be taken once he returns and meets members of the board. Naqvi claimed that Bangladesh had been treated unfairly and accused the ICC of showing double standards.
“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. 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.
Two days ago, the ICC had given the BCB a 24-hour ultimatum to reconsider its stance. After holding discussions with the Bangladesh government, the BCB decided that their players would not be safe in India and refused to change their demand for relocation.
Cricket
ICC replaces Bangladesh with Scotland in T20 World Cup after refusal to travel to India
