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PM to Decide Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Stance After ICC-Bangladesh Row
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi says PM Shehbaz Sharif will take a final decision on Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup after ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland over security concerns.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-26
PM to Decide Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Stance After ICC-Bangladesh Row

Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been briefed on recent developments surrounding the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) dispute related to the upcoming T20 World Cup. He added that a final decision on Pakistan’s stance would be taken either on Friday or next Monday.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad earlier in the day, where he updated him on the situation concerning Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.

“During the meeting, he briefed the prime minister on the recent developments between the ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board regarding the T20 World Cup,” the handout said.

Following the meeting, Naqvi termed the discussion productive and said the premier had directed that the issue be resolved while keeping all options open.

“I briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday,” Naqvi said in a post.

The development comes after the ICC announced on Saturday that Bangladesh had been replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup, which is set to begin next month. The decision followed Bangladesh’s refusal to tour India over security concerns amid strained political relations between the two countries.

The BCB had requested that its matches be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka under a hybrid model, but the ICC rejected the proposal, citing logistical challenges so close to the tournament’s February 7 start date.

Hours before the ICC’s announcement, Naqvi had criticised the governing body’s handling of the situation, stating that Bangladesh was being treated unfairly and deserved the opportunity to compete. He also indicated at the time that Pakistan’s participation in the tournament was not yet confirmed, pending consultation with the prime minister.

Meanwhile, the International Cricketers’ Association, also known as the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), expressed disappointment over Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament.

“The withdrawal of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, and resulting absence of a valued cricketing nation from cricket’s pinnacle international T20 event, is a sad moment for our sport, the Bangladesh players and fans, and one that requires deep reflection,” WCA Chief Executive Tom Moffat said in a statement.

The situation has sparked broader debate about fairness, security concerns, and the need for flexibility in international cricket scheduling.
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