International Cricket Council Expels Bangladesh From T20 World Cup; Pakistan Mulls India Match Boycott

Bangladesh was expelled from the T20 World Cup by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Bangladesh team refused to travel to India for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and demanded that their matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. The ICC did not accede to Bangladesh's demand and issued a 24-hour ultimatum. Upon receiving no response from the Bangladeshi board, the ICC took firm action and selected Scotland as the replacement team for the T20 World Cup.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is deeply upset by Bangladesh's exclusion. The PCB had previously threatened to boycott the tournament. Following this, the ICC warned that strict action would be taken against it if it continued to do so. Fearing action from the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board quietly announced its squad for the T20 World Cup.

Will the Pakistani team not play against India? However, Pakistan's drama is far from over. According to a Geo Super report, Pakistan is seriously considering boycotting the group stage match against India in the T20 World Cup. The match is scheduled to be played on February 15th at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Pakistan intends to do so to protest the ICC's decision to disqualify Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup and allow Scotland to participate.

According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board is considering several protest options, and the team may even participate in the tournament. If Pakistan does not play the match against India, it will only lose two points, but the ICC could suffer financial losses. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will meet with the team to discuss strategy and future plans. Naqvi stated that a final decision will be made only after consultation with the federal government.

Mohsin Naqvi said, "Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is currently not in the country. We will announce the final decision only after his return." Naqvi criticized the ICC, saying that Bangladesh has been treated unfairly and that this should be considered a "double standard." Naqvi questioned the influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the ICC's decision.

This veteran advised Pakistan not to play in the T20 World Cup. Mohsin Naqvi said, "Bangladesh, like Pakistan, is a member of the ICC. One country cannot dictate to another. If this is done, Pakistan will clarify its position."

According to the scheduled schedule, Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign will begin on February 7th against the Netherlands in Colombo. The team will then face the United States on February 10th, India on February 15th, and Namibia on February 18th. The Super 8 stage matches will be played from February 21st to March 1st, while the semi-finals will be held on March 3rd and 5th. The final will be played on March 8th in either Ahmedabad or Colombo.

Pakistan team for T20 World Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper) and Usman Tariq.