The T20 World Cup is hotly anticipated. Every team is preparing in their own way; mainly through facing a potential opponent in a series of T20s. However, while anticipation is high, the controversy are even higher. There's a potential boycott of Pakistan in the tournament.
This follows Bangladesh's boycott of the tournament due to political tensions between them and India. Pakistan stood unified with Bangladesh on the matter - as a result of their own tensions with India. Bangladesh refused to back down from the International Cricket Council's (ICC) threat of removal. Subsequently, they were replaced by Scotland.
Also read: Move The Venues...Or Else
In a stunning twist, Bangladesh could potentially replace Pakistan.
The cricketing world stands on edge as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) contemplates a potential full boycott of the T20 World Cup 2026. Triggered by solidarity with Bangladesh, after the ICC replaced the Tigers with Scotland following their refusal to travel to India, PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, held a meeting with the country's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, on Monday, though a decision on the subject has been postponed to the end of the week, at least. However, beyond the political rhetoric lies a harsh reality. For Pakistan, a boycott isn't just a protest, it is a potential suicide mission.
Mohsin Naqvi has iterated multiple times that the final decision of the team's participation in the T20 World Cup rests in the hands of the government. Even as the selectors announced Pakistan's 15-man squad for the tournament, the management said that the government is yet to give the team the go-ahead needed.
There are growing concerns Pakistan is set to boycott the T20 World Cup, or at least its group-stage match against India, after a social media post made by the Pakistan Cricket Board's chairman.
The tournament has already been rocked in recent days by the ICC's decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland over the former country's refusal to play games in India due to security concerns.
Bangladesh had demanded its games be relocated to Sri Lanka, which will co-host next month's tournament with India. The ICC refused, booted the Tigers from the competition and replaced them with the highest-ranked team of those that had fallen short in qualification.
According to BBC Sport, Pakistan supported Bangladesh's position at an emergency ICC board meeting held last week, and is aggrieved at the governing body's decision to cut the Tigers from the tournament.
The scenario involving Bangladesh has further complicated the well-documented, decades-long political war between Pakistan and India. On Monday, PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, posted a photo on X of he and Pakistan Prime Minister, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, saying they'd had "a productive meeting."
"Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table," Naqvi added. "It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday."
Pakistan is scheduled to play all of its group-stage matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Barring a boycott, Pakistan and India will face off on 15 February.
Media reports indicate that Pakistan is specifically considering a boycott of the 15 February match against India in Colombo to hit the ICC where it is most vulnerable: broadcasting and sponsorship revenue. since the India-Pakistan clash is the primary commercial driver of any global cricket event.
The PCB reportedly views skipping this single game as a "principled protest" that would cause maximum financial disruption to the ICC while only resulting in a minor two-point deduction for the team in the group standings. This strategy allows Pakistan to remain in the tournament while demonstrating solidarity with Bangladesh through a targeted strike at the event's most lucrative fixture.
A significant development being discussed in cricket circles is the potential for Bangladesh to be reinstated if Pakistan proceeds with a total boycott. Reports indicate that if a vacancy opens in Group A, the ICC could offer the slot back to Bangladesh.
This scenario is considered logistically viable because Pakistan’s Group A fixtures are already scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka, a neutral co-host. Since Bangladesh’s original refusal to play was centered specifically on India-based venues, moving them into Pakistan’s scheduled Sri Lankan slots would theoretically satisfy their demand for neutral territory without requiring the ICC to overhaul the entire tournament schedule. While Scotland has already replaced Bangladesh in Group C, a Pakistan exit would create a new opening that could allow the Tigers a late entry into the competition.
As per a source to Hindustan Times, 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. The best part about this arrangement is that it will pose limited logistical challenges.
A total Pakistan boycott would strip the World Cup of star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi and a country with a rich and proud cricketing history. "You can't have double standards," Naqvi said on Saturday, according to ESPNcricinfo.
"You can't say for one country [India] they can do whatever they want and for the others to have to do the complete opposite. That's why we've taken this stand and made clear Bangladesh have had an injustice done to them. They should play in the World Cup; they are a major stakeholder in cricket."
While the final decision on the matter will be publicly revealed within the next seven days, the following are the factors that make Pakistan's decision to pull out of the World Cup nearly impossible:
1. Breach of Participation Agreement
Every Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) signs a Tournament Participation Agreement (TPA) long before a mega-event begins. By withdrawing at the eleventh hour, Pakistan would be in direct breach of this legally binding contract.
The ICC has already signalled that such a breach would lead to the withholding of Pakistan's annual revenue share, estimated at USD 34.5 million (approx. Rs. 316 crore). For a board already navigating a fragile economy, losing nearly 6% of the ICC's total revenue pool could push the PCB toward financial ruin that it wouldn't be able to recover from.
2. ICC Sanctions
The ICC sanctions for "political interference" are extensive. If the boycott is seen as being staged solely on government advice, the ICC may view it as an attempt to "weaponise" sport. The resulting sanctions could include:
Suspension from Global Cricket: Much like what happened with Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the past.
Asia Cup Exclusion: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) often mirrors ICC stances. A boycott could see Pakistan stripped of its spot in future Asia Cups, even as PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi heads the continental body.
Loss of Hosting Rights: Pakistan is currently slated to host major events like the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup. A boycott would almost certainly see these rights revoked.
3. The PSL Crisis: The "NOC" Hammer
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is the flagship T20 league of Pakistan's domestic cricket. However, its success depends entirely on the participation of overseas stars.
If Pakistan boycotts a world event, the ICC and other member boards (like Cricket Australia or the ECB) could retaliate by refusing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for their players to participate in the PSL, on the instruction of the global body.
4. Total Isolation and Bilateral Fallout
Cricket economy is built on a bilateral calendar. By disrupting a World Cup - the ICC's primary source of revenue - Pakistan risks alienating the very boards it needs to keep itself afloat. Without home tours from major nations, the PCB's primary source of independent income would evaporate.
The Bottom Line
Expressing solidarity with Bangladesh is one thing but to boycott an ICC event completely would be nothing other than self-destruction.
As I've said before, Pakistan's initial solidarity was noble. However, since the Bangladesh situation has been dealt with, I believe Pakistan should move on and accept the final decision. As seen above, boycotting the tournament can have dire consequences for them.
No one likes being alienated. If all this happens, Pakistan, in the cricket world, would cease to exist. This can be proven by the evidence provided above. It's actually a scary thought to have. Not seeing Pakistan play regular cricket will be weird and a bit absurd.
While it would be quite humourous to see Bangladesh replace Pakistan, it can be considered quite a severe form of a cruel irony. I'd be furious if my team withdraws to support another one.