"They have been unfairly treated in this case."
Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup has been thrown into uncertainty following Bangladesh’s dramatic expulsion from the tournament by the ICC.
The development has sparked widespread criticism within cricketing circles, with Pakistan openly questioning the global body’s handling of the situation.
Bangladesh had secured their place in the tournament back in June 2024, making the reversal particularly contentious and unprecedented.
Their removal was confirmed on January 24, 2026, after prolonged negotiations with the ICC over relocating scheduled fixtures from India to Sri Lanka.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board had requested the venue change, citing player safety concerns, a demand that remained unresolved for weeks.
Following the deadlock, the ICC awarded Bangladesh’s slot to Scotland, the next highest-ranked team in the T20 standings.
The decision prompted accusations of “double standards,” with critics questioning why the decision was made so abruptly.
The Pakistan Cricket Board quickly expressed solidarity with Bangladesh and indicated it would reassess its own participation timeline.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that Pakistan would delay a final decision until consultations with the government concluded.
Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on January 27, 2026, though no immediate clarity emerged regarding Pakistan’s travel plans.
Naqvi said: “It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday.”
Earlier, he had defended Bangladesh strongly, describing them as a “big stakeholder” in international cricket affairs.
“Bangladesh is a big stakeholder, and they have been unfairly treated in this case.”
Naqvi added that the Bangladeshi stance involved several complexities, which he would explain “when the situation arrives.”
The PCB chairman also raised concerns over what he described as selective governance within the ICC decision-making framework.
He questioned: “When the ICC changed venues for Pakistan and India in a favour, then why it was not done for Bangladesh?”
Naqvi further clarified Pakistan’s constitutional position, saying:
“We are not under the ICC, we are subservient to our government.”
The dispute began nearly three weeks ago when Bangladesh formally requested that all India-based matches be shifted elsewhere.
Sri Lanka was proposed as a neutral alternative due to logistical familiarity and existing security infrastructure.
Tensions escalated after Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was withdrawn from his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders.
The move reportedly followed a directive from the BCCI, further straining relations between the boards.
Observers believe this incident intensified Bangladesh’s security concerns.
As the tournament approaches, uncertainty around Pakistan’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup remains.
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