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Pakistan have reportedly put their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 on hold after instructions from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has expressed its support to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) amid its ongoing row with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan are reportedly mulling pulling out of the T20 World Cup 2026, in support of Bangladesh's demand to shift their matches away from India in the tournament.
The T20 World Cup 2026 is set to get underway on February 07, however, there remains doubt over Bangladesh's participation in the tournament which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. BCB and ICC are involved in a tiff after Bangladesh remain adamant on not travelling to India for the T20 World Cup.
BCB had urged ICC to shift their T20 World Cup matches away from India, citing security concerns and national pride after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. The move from the BCCI came amid growing political tensions between the two nations following a rise in cases of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Pakistan have reportedly threatened to pull out of the T20 World Cup 2026 if Bangladesh are not part of the tournament. As per reports, the Bangladesh government reached out to the Pakistan officials to seek support regarding their decision to not play in India and received a positive response.
The PCB indicted that they are willing to reconsider their own participation if Bangladesh's concerns are not addressed. Following their threat to pull out of the T20 World Cup 2026, the PCB reportedly instructed the Pakistan team management to put their preparations on hold for the tournament.
"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 were quoted saying by www.telecomasia.net.
The report claimed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also an interior minister in Pakistan, took part in the discussions between Pakistani and Bangladeshi officials and assured full support to the BCB. Naqvi told Bangladeshi officials that PCB will reconsider Pakistan's participation in the tournament if Bangladesh's demands are not met.
"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," added the PCB sources.
Meanwhile, the ICC on Monday reportedly issued an ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, asking them to confirm their participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 by January 21. ICC, which has refused to accept BCB's demand to relocate their matches from India to Sri Lanka, has told Bangladesh that they will be replaced by another team if they refuse to travel to India for the tournament.
As per news agency PTI, ICC has reportedly told the BCB officials to decide on Bangladesh's participation in the showpiece event or be ready to get replaced by another team. Bangladesh are currently part of Group C in the T20 World Cup 2026 alongside Italy, England and Nepal.
