'We wanted Bangladesh to play': BCCI alleges Mohsin Naqvi influenced Bangladesh’s absence from T20 World Cup 2026

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla accused Pakistan of unnecessarily interfering in the India vs Bangladesh T20 World Cup situation and misleading Bangladesh. The controversy began after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the tournament after the Bangladesh government and cricket board refused to send their team to India, citing security concerns.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi criticised the decision to replace Bangladesh and accused the ICC of showing “double standards,” saying the team was treated unfairly. He also stated that Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup would be decided by the government once Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returns from abroad.

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Rajeev Shukla on Pakistan's unnecessary intervention

The PCB had suggested that the ICC adopt a hybrid model for Bangladesh, similar to the arrangement for Pakistan, which allows Pakistan to play all their T20 World Cup matches in Colombo.

“Pakistan is intervening in the matter without any reason and provoking Bangladesh… Everyone knows the brutality done by Pakistan on the Bangladeshis, and now they are trying to mislead them, which is completely wrong…,” Shukla said on Monday to ANI.

“We wanted Bangladesh to play and we also assured full security, but since they have made this decision, it is very difficult to change the entire schedule at the last moment. This is why Scotland was brought in..,” he added.

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Pakistan's chances of T20 World Cup 2026 participation

Despite looming over their participation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. Despite the squad announcement, Aaqib Javed, the former fast bowler who is the PCB Director of High Performance and member men’s national selection committee reiterating that they will wait for the Pakistan government’s decision in the matter.