The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a statement regarding the decision taken by the Pakistani government not to participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup match against India.
It states that this decision could have long-term implications for the future of Pakistani cricket as well as the global cricket system, and it is hoped that the Pakistan Cricket Board will pay close attention to it.
Bangladesh had earlier refused to tour India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing security reasons in the face of the political crisis.
The situation arose after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) advised Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman, who was selected to represent the team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket tournament.
Accordingly, Bangladesh Cricket Board took steps to suspend the broadcasting of the IPL tournament in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh cricket authorities had questioned the extent to which it was fair to remove a player who was selected for a cricket tournament on a legal contract from that tournament.
Under such circumstances, they questioned what assurances the Indian authorities would give that their team’s players and fans would not be unsafe in India.
Bangladesh cricket authorities have requested that the T20 World Cup be held in Sri Lanka instead of India.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that there will be no change in the tournament schedule.
Accordingly, the ICC has removed Bangladesh from the World Cup and added Scotland.
In this context, there is uncertainty about Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi had recently issued a message after meeting the Pakistani Prime Minister, stating that his country will officially announce its participation in the World Cup on February 2.
Accordingly, the Pakistani government last night (01) put an X and stated that it had “allowed the Pakistani team to participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup”.
It further stated that its team would not participate in the match against India on February 15.
In response, the International Cricket Council stated that it had not yet received an official notification in this regard from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
The International Cricket Council has emphasized that the selective participation is not in line with the basic concept of a global sporting event and that all qualified teams should play under equal conditions according to the match schedule.
It is also expected that the Pakistan Cricket Board will pay close attention to this decision as it may have long-term implications for the future of Pakistani cricket as well as the global cricket system.
Successful holding of the 2026 T20 World Cup The ICC statement further stated that the ICC’s priority is to ensure that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and all its members, including the ICC, are fully committed to the resolution.
The ICC said it hopes that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will consider a mutually acceptable proposal that protects the interests of all stakeholders.
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