The ICC has issued a strong warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi hinted at a possible boycott of the T20 World Cup 2026 in support of Bangladesh. Sources say ICC could impose strict sanctions, including isolation from bilateral series and major tournaments.
ICC Takes Tough Stand on Pakistan’s Boycott Threat Over T20 World Cup
New Delhi: Following Bangladesh's exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup, the controversy within the cricketing world is deepening. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now threatened to boycott the tournament, prompting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take a firm stance. According to ICC sources, if Pakistan takes such a step, it could face stringent action that could seriously impact its international cricketing future.
Following the decision to exclude Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup and include Scotland, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi accused the ICC of adopting double standards. He issued a statement in support of Bangladesh and even suggested that Pakistan might also consider boycotting the tournament.
This statement by Naqvi did not sit well with the ICC. According to reports, the ICC is taking this threat seriously and is preparing to isolate Pakistan if it takes such action.
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Sources indicate that if Pakistan withdraws from the T20 World Cup, the ICC could take several tough actions against it. These could include excluding Pakistan from bilateral series, suspending participation in the Asia Cup, and implementing a policy of not granting NOCs to foreign players for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
These sanctions will directly impact the PCB's revenue, the commercial value of domestic cricket, and the future of the Pakistan national team.
Mohsin Naqvi clarified that Pakistan has not yet officially withdrawn from the T20 World Cup. He stated that the final decision will be made by the Pakistani government, and the board will follow its instructions.
Naqvi said, "Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. It is a full member like Pakistan and should receive equal rights."
Anger has grown in India over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. This led to questions about Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman's participation in IPL 2026, and he was eventually released. Bangladesh then demanded that its T20 World Cup matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns, a demand rejected by the ICC.
Following the BCB's stubborn stance, the ICC expelled Bangladesh from the tournament, and this is where the controversy escalated.
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After Bangladesh, Pakistan's threat has posed a major challenge to the ICC. All eyes are now on what Pakistan's decision actually is and how strict the ICC will be. This controversy could shape the politics of international cricket in the future.
