Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026: WC call hangs in balance; PCB waits for government nod

Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad to brief him on the ICC’s decision to remove Bangladesh.

After the meeting, Naqvi said all options were discussed and a final call would be taken by Friday or Monday.

He later posted on X that the matter would be resolved while keeping Pakistan’s broader interests in mind. The meeting signalled that the decision is now firmly in the government’s domain, with cricket authorities awaiting direction.

Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Pakistan named a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, led by Salman Ali Agha.

The move raised eyebrows, but the PCB insists it was a preparatory step rather than a confirmation of participation.

Naqvi reminded players of the expectations from fans ahead of the home white-ball series against Australia and the World Cup.

The message was clear: remain focused on cricket, even as administrators handle the political and diplomatic complexities surrounding Pakistan’s presence at the global event.

Following the squad announcement, Naqvi addressed the Pakistan players and head coach Mike Hesson, clarifying the board’s stand.

“We are waiting for the government's advice and whatever the government tells us to do we will do it,” he told the team.

He added that if the government advises against participation, the PCB will comply.

During the meeting, players were briefed on why Pakistan is supporting Bangladesh, and later the PCB confirmed that the squad backed the board’s principled position, even as uncertainty looms over their immediate future.

The latest controversy was triggered after the ICC removed Bangladesh from the tournament and replaced them with Scotland.

The decision came after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to send its team to India, citing security concerns following Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exit.

Pakistan has openly backed Bangladesh’s stance, with Naqvi calling it “principled.”

The PCB believes the ICC’s handling of the situation reflects double standards, and that has complicated Pakistan’s own position, turning what was once a routine World Cup build-up into a high-stakes political and administrative decision.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear that announcing the T20 World Cup squad does not automatically mean Pakistan has committed to playing the tournament.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi dismissed that impression on Sunday, reiterating that the final call rests with the Pakistan government.

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled across India and Sri Lanka from February 7, the uncertainty continues even as timelines for a decision narrow.

Naqvi stressed that the board is awaiting official advice, underlining that participation in the marquee event will be guided by national interest rather than cricketing logistics alone.