As the 2026 T20 World Cup nears, Pakistan faces a tough choice. With Bangladesh out and tensions with the ICC rising, should Pakistan boycott or play on?
New Delhi:Cricket fans expected the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, to be a celebration of the game’s fastest and most popular format. Instead, controversy and political tension surround the tournament just days before the opening match on February 7. Fans are no longer discussing team combinations or title favourites—they are watching a power struggle unfold between the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
At the centre of the storm is the ICC’s decision to remove Bangladesh from the World Cup and replace them with Scotland. The move came after the BCB declined to play its scheduled matches in India, citing security concerns. The decision has sparked outrage in Pakistan, with the PCB openly questioning the ICC’s fairness and even hinting at drastic measures that could shake the tournament.
The PCB’s Tough Call
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has voiced strong displeasure over what he sees as unequal treatment by the ICC. According to him, Bangladesh was denied flexibility that other nations have previously received. He pointed out past instances where organizers adjusted venues for India under similar circumstances and asked why they did not explore a comparable solution this time.
Although Pakistan’s own matches are already set to be played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid hosting model, Naqvi—after consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—has kept several protest options open. These range from symbolic gestures such as wearing black armbands, to skipping the high-profile India–Pakistan clash on February 15, or in the most extreme scenario, withdrawing from the tournament entirely.
The message from the PCB is clear: this is not business as usual.
Legends at Odds
The controversy has sharply divided Pakistan’s cricketing fraternity. Former players, officials, and fans are split between those calling for a bold stand and those urging caution.
The Argument for a Boycott: “Challenge the System”
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has emerged as the strongest advocate for a complete withdrawal. For him, the issue goes beyond Bangladesh’s exclusion—it is about confronting what he believes is an imbalanced global cricket structure.
Latif argues that Pakistan’s absence would significantly damage the World Cup’s credibility and commercial value. In his view, Pakistan holds enough sporting and financial weight to force the ICC into reconsidering its decision, especially if it acts in solidarity with Bangladesh.
The Counter View: “Protect Pakistan Cricket”
On the other side of the debate are voices of restraint, led by legends such as Wasim Akram. He has warned against allowing emotion to dictate policy, stressing that Pakistan must prioritise its own interests.
Akram’s stance is blunt: Pakistan should focus on strengthening its cricket rather than sacrificing itself for a cause that lacks wider international support. Former PCB officials Ehsan Mani and Arif Ali Abbasi have echoed this sentiment, pointing out that no other major cricket board opposed the ICC’s decision on Bangladesh.
They caution that a boycott would leave Pakistan isolated, strain relations with co-host Sri Lanka, and invite severe consequences.
The Financial Reality
Beyond principles and protests lies a harsh economic truth. A complete withdrawal from the T20 World Cup could cost the PCB an estimated $38 million in ICC revenue alone. The long-term fallout could be even more damaging, including:
- Possible exclusion from future ICC tournaments
- Suspension from the Asia Cup
- Loss of bilateral series opportunities
- A serious blow to the Pakistan Super League’s international profile
- For a board already navigating financial pressures, such losses could set Pakistan cricket back by years.
What Happens Next?
As January 2026 draws to a close, tensions appear to be easing slightly. The PCB has already announced its squad for the tournament, signalling preparation rather than withdrawal. While speculation continues about government influence on the board’s final call, the most likely outcome is Pakistan’s participation—accompanied by symbolic protest rather than an outright boycott.
Such a path would allow Pakistan to register its dissent without inflicting lasting damage on its own cricketing ecosystem.
A Tournament Caught Between Sport and Politics
The unfolding saga is a reminder that modern cricket often operates far beyond the boundary ropes. Geopolitics, governance, and commercial interests are increasingly intertwined with the game.
Pakistan faces a difficult choice: stand tall in solidarity and risk becoming a martyr, or compete pragmatically in a tournament it cannot afford to abandon. As the world waits for the first ball to be bowled, the bigger question remains unanswered—will Pakistan choose principle at any cost, or survival with compromise?