The Pakistan Cricket Board paused T20 World Cup 2026 preparations, backing Bangladesh’s demand to move matches from India. ICC’s decision on Bangladesh’s request is awaited.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has halted its team’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held next month in India and Sri Lanka, in line with its threat to withdraw from the tournament in support of Bangladesh’s demand to move its matches out of India.
Following Pakistan’s threat to pull out of the T20 World Cup if Bangladesh’s demand to relocate its matches was not met, the PCB instructed its team to ease up on preparations for the event.
“All preparations for the national team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 have been put on hold, with the team management being briefed about the plans,” top PCB sources told www.telecomasia.net.
On Saturday, during a discussion between Dhaka and Islamabad, Pakistan expressed its full support for Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India due to security concerns. Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and a Senator, played a key role in these talks.
“Naqvi participated in the discussions between the Pakistani and Bangladeshi governments, affirming that Pakistan fully supports Bangladesh and would reconsider its own participation in the event if Bangladesh’s demands are not met,” sources told www.telecomasia.net.
Sources indicated that the PCB has informed the government that withdrawing from the tournament would be challenging, as it would require presenting the government’s advice and a valid reason. Failure to provide a valid reason could result in a fine of up to two million dollars for breaching the Member’s Participation Agreement, which all members sign with the ICC.
The PCB has also offered to host Bangladesh’s fixtures if Sri Lanka’s venues are unavailable.
Bangladesh has requested that its matches be relocated to Sri Lanka after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked the Kolkata Knight Riders to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his contract for the upcoming IPL 2026.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to make a final decision on Bangladesh’s request by January 21. This follows a meeting between the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, where both parties maintained their positions.
Bangladesh also proposed swapping places with Ireland, which plays its group matches in Sri Lanka, to move to Group B. However, the ICC has reportedly assured Ireland that no such move will occur.
