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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi came out in support of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and urged the International Cricket Counciul (ICC) to move Bangladesh's 2026 T20 World Cup matches outside India. He had even said that Pakistan will have to review their participation in the tournament if the issue does not get resolved, adding that the final call on this issue will rest with the government.
However, Naqvi's statement has not gone down well with the ICC according to a report by The Indian Express. They have threatened to impose sanctions on Pakistan, including a ban from competing in the Asia Cup if they do not participate in the T20 World Cup.
“If Pakistan also decides not to play the T20 World Cup, the ICC will impose sanctions, including no bilateral series with any international team, no NOC for foreign players in the PSL, and no Asia Cup participation,” a source said.
Naqvi's statement on the matter
Meanwhile, Naqvi had earlier criticised the ICC over Bangladesh's ouster from the T20 World Cup. He labelled ICC's treatement of Bangladesh as "unfair" and alleged that one member nation has been dictating terms in this situation.
“Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. One country can make any decision whenever it wants, while it is the opposite for another. Bangladesh is a major stakeholder and such injustice should not happen,” Naqvi had told reporters.
“One country is dictating terms. When the ICC changed venues for Pakistan and India in their favour, why was it not done for Bangladesh?” he added.
He had further said that the PCB is answerable to the Pakistan government and not the ICC, adding that the final decision over their participation will be taken by the ggovernment in a few days time.
“Our policy and position are clear. When the time comes and the government takes a decision, everyone will know. We are not under the ICC; we are answerable to our government. Once the Prime Minister returns, he will decide, and we will follow government directives," Naqvi further said.
Pakistan to play in Sri Lanka
Pakistan is scheduled to play their share of T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka. It had already been long decided that they will not be travelling to India for the tournament, but now it remains to seen whether they will even participate in the competition or not.
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