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After days of boycott threats by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is ready to take a drastic step. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the global cricket body can end up recalling Bangladesh for the 2026 T20 World Cup if Pakistan decides to exit from the tournament. If Bangladesh does end up being recalled, then they are expected to play their share of matches in Sri Lanka just like Pakistan.
“If Pakistan decide to withdraw, Bangladesh would be given the opportunity to replace them in Group A and play all their matches in Sri Lanka as per BCB’s original request. This arrangement would pose limited logistical challenges,” an official aware of the matter told Hindustan Times.
Naqvi's empty threat to ICC
The saga had began when PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had threatened to boycott the T20 World Cup if their government allowed them to do so. He also blamed the ICC of having double standards after Bangladesh pulled out from the tournament and said that they had been treated "unfairly". Bangladesh had exited the competition as they weren't in favour of travelling to India. They ended up being replaced by Scotland in the 20-team tournament.
“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,” Naqvi had said.
The PCB chief had also said that the final call on their participation in the tournament will be taken by the Pakistani government. He then met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday and had a discussion regarding the issue. He revealed that the final decision on Pakistan's participation is expected to be taken by next week.
“Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options open. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday,” Naqvi said in a social media post.
Pakistan announce squad for T20 WC
Meanwhile, despite threatening to boycott the T20 World Cup, Pakistan had recently announced their squad for the tournament that is set to begin from February 7. They had surprisingly snubbed both Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf from the team while Babar Azam was called back despite his dismal performances for the Sydney Sixers in his debut Big Bash League (BBL) campaign.
Pakistan's squad for T20 World Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.
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