ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is considering pulling out of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament, which raised serious concerns over what officials described as unfair and discriminatory behavior by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Amid displeasure over alleged “blatant double standards” by the ICC, the Center will not allow the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send the national team to the marquee event planned to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, top sources told The News.

The controversy erupted after the ICC allegedly refused to allow Bangladesh to play its matches in Sri Lanka despite security concerns.

The decision was eventually replaced by Bangladesh by Scotland, prompting alarm in Islamabad.

A final decision is expected to be taken after a key meeting between Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in ​​Islamabad on Monday.

“The final decision rests with the prime minister, but early indications are that Pakistan will not be allowed to participate in the T20 World Cup,” a senior government source said.

“It’s not just about cricket, it’s about principles. Bangladesh has lost its due, and the stepfather treatment by the ICC has forced Pakistan to seriously reconsider its participation.”

The official further stressed that international sports governance should not be dictated by the whims of a country.

“There cannot be double standards in international sports. On the one hand, India enjoys the freedom to choose venues of its choice, on the other, countries like Bangladesh refuse to change venues citing security reasons. If the ICC truly wants cricket to grow as a global sport, such selective policies must end.”

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has already expressed strong displeasure with the ICC’s handling of the issue, warning that replacing Bangladesh with Scotland highlights a dangerous contradiction in the council’s policies and undermines the principles of fairness and neutrality.

However, Naqvi made it clear that the PCB will abide by the central government’s decision.

“The final call on Pakistan’s participation rests with the government and the PCB has to follow instructions from the top,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan players have extended their full support to the PCB chief. In a meeting held in Lahore, it was unanimously agreed that participation or withdrawal of cricketers from the World Cup must be in accordance with the Central Government’s position.

Meanwhile, the squad for the upcoming tournament was announced on Sunday during a press conference attended by PCB’s High Performance Director and Men’s National Selection Committee member Akib Javed, Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha.

Captain Salman Ali Agha, along with Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafe, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Tariq, have earned their first call-ups to a major ICC event.

Meanwhile, experienced campaigners Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faqar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Usman Khan have represented Pakistan in one or more editions of the tournament since 2021.

For the uninitiated, Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign begins on February 7 in Colombo against the Netherlands, followed by the USA on February 10, arch-rivals India on February 15 and the final group-stage match against Namibia on February 18.

The Super Eight round is scheduled from February 21 to March 1 in Colombo and Kolkata, with the first semi-final on March 3, the second semi-final on March 5 and the grand final in Ahmedabad or Colombo on March 8.

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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