KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has given his opinion on whether the national team should participate in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
On social media platform X, Hafeez urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send the tournament.
“Pakistan should participate in 2026 World Cup. @TheRealPCB,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, PCB president Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the final decision regarding Pakistan’s participation will be taken in consultation with the central government following his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday.
The 20-team tournament has already seen a last-minute change after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.
The move follows Bangladesh’s refusal to allow IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release veteran fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman to travel to India as per the orders of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Despite several rounds of negotiations between the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (PCB), no agreement was reached.
The ICC eventually rejected Bangladesh’s request and gave a 24-hour ultimatum, maintaining the original schedule.
Sources indicated that Pakistan, who won the 2009 T20 World Cup, may reconsider participation if Bangladesh are not allowed to play.
Talking to the media, Naqvi said that PCB will follow the central government’s direction.
“Prime Minister (Shehbaz Sharif) is currently out of the country. We will announce the final decision after his return,” he said when asked about Pakistan’s position on the ICC decision on Bangladesh.
Naqvi criticized the ICC for what he called “double standards” in its handling of Bangladesh’s case.
“Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. I raised the same point in the ICC board meeting. One country cannot take arbitrary decisions and treat another country differently,” he said.
He added, “Bangladesh is a key player and should be allowed to play in the World Cup. This injustice should not be done.”
Naqvi also highlighted BCCI’s influence, saying, “One country cannot dictate to another country. If this is attempted, Pakistan will take its own stand.”
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign begins on February 7 in Colombo against the Netherlands, followed by matches against USA on February 10, India on February 15 and Namibia on February 18.
The Super Eight phase will be held from February 21 to March 1 in Colombo and Kolkata, with the semi-finals on March 3 and 5 and the final on March 8 in either Ahmedabad or Colombo.
Pakistan Squad – T20 World Cup 2026:
Salman Ali Agha (catch), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faqar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafe (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shahman Afridi, Usman Khan.
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