Pakistan's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 hangs in the balance as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) awaits a final decision from the government regarding the team's involvement. The PCB has indicated that a boycott remains a possibility, depending on the government's advice. This stance follows the ICC's decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expressed reluctance to send its team to India, citing security concerns.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with Pakistan's players and head coach Mike Hesson in Lahore on Sunday, shortly after announcing the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup. Naqvi briefed the team on the broader context surrounding the ICC's decision and reiterated that Pakistan's participation is contingent on the government's assessment of the situation, especially with matches scheduled in India and Sri Lanka. The players have reportedly expressed their support for the PCB's stance, backing a potential boycott if advised by the government.
The ICC has reportedly warned the PCB that withdrawing from the T20 World Cup 2026 could result in severe sanctions. These penalties could include the withholding of the PCB's share of ICC annual revenue, estimated at around $34.5 million, restrictions on future bilateral series, and reduced influence in upcoming multi-nation events. The ICC's revenue share forms a significant portion of the $3.2 billion media rights deal for 2024-27, with over 85% derived from the Indian market. For many cricket-playing nations outside India, England, and Australia, this revenue represents their primary source of income.
An unnamed official from the cricket's governing body stated that a last-minute withdrawal by Pakistan would constitute a breach of the tournament's participation agreement. Furthermore, a boycott "staged solely on government advice", without direct harm to Pakistan's team, could be perceived by the ICC as an attempt to "weaponize sport for politics". This could potentially alienate the PCB within the ICC Board, disrupt Pakistan's bilateral calendar with other teams, and affect foreign player participation in the Pakistan Super League.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their participation, the PCB has announced a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup. The squad includes 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. Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Tariq have received their first call-ups to a major event. The team is scheduled to play four group games between February 7 and March 8, before the Super Eight and Knockout Stage. Pakistan is also slated to face Australia in a three-match T20I series in Lahore from January 29 to February 1.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has urged Pakistan to withdraw from the T20 World Cup, arguing that the tournament's credibility would be diminished without their participation. Latif believes that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's recent comments suggest that Pakistan may already be considering a withdrawal.
Pakistan's schedule includes a match against India on February 15 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. They are also scheduled to play against the Netherlands, the United States of America and Namibia. The decision of whether Pakistan will participate in the tournament remains pending, awaiting the government's final call.
