PCB Chairman to Address T20 World Cup Concerns with National Squad
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is scheduled to meet members of Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad to discuss growing concerns over the team's participation in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. This development comes in the wake of Bangladesh's exclusion from the tournament, as reported by Pakistani news outlet Geo News on Sunday.
Uncertainty Emerges During Squad Announcement
Doubts regarding Pakistan's World Cup participation surfaced during the squad announcement press conference held on Sunday. When questioned about Pakistan's prospects in the tournament, chief selector Aaqib Javed stated, "As players and management, we are preparing for the World Cup, and it is up to the PCB and government to take a final call."
The squad announcement event was attended by several key figures:
- PCB director of high performance and Men's national selection committee member Aqib Javed
- Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson
- T20I captain Salman Ali Agha
Government Approval Required for Final Decision
According to sources cited by A Sports, Naqvi is expected to brief players on the World Cup situation and explain the board's strategic approach. However, the ultimate decision regarding Pakistan's participation will be made following consultations with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Speaking in Lahore on Saturday, Naqvi clarified that Pakistan's participation now depends entirely on government approval. This stance emerged after Bangladesh was removed from the tournament when the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected their request to relocate matches from India due to security concerns.
"Whether we play in the T20 World Cup or not, the decision will be taken by the government. PM (Shahbaz Sharif) is out of the country. When he comes back, we will take advice from him. The decision by the government will be final and binding, and if they say no, then they (ICC) may invite any other team," Naqvi explained.
PCB Prepared with Contingency Plans
The PCB chairman revealed that the board has developed comprehensive backup strategies. "We have alternate plans A, B, and C, which we can use when the time comes. We have done this before during the Champions Trophy, so nothing new for us, and we know how to deal with such matters," Naqvi stated, highlighting the board's experience in handling similar situations.
These comments followed the ICC's decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh's removal resulted from their refusal to travel to India for the tournament.
Potential Consequences of Pakistani Withdrawal
Should Pakistan decide to withdraw from the tournament, the ICC would face significant challenges. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan match represents the tournament's largest revenue source, generating an estimated USD 500 million.
Pakistan could also encounter financial repercussions if they withdraw. The ICC might view such a decision as unjustified since matches are scheduled at neutral venues, and no specific security concerns have been officially identified regarding Pakistan's participation.
The situation remains fluid as stakeholders await the prime minister's return and subsequent consultations. The PCB's proactive approach in communicating with players and preparing contingency plans demonstrates their commitment to navigating this complex diplomatic and sporting challenge.
