Amid Bangladesh concerns
\nOfficials say if Bangladesh concerns remain unresolved, Pakistan will reconsider participation
\n lahore
\nThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has halted team preparations for the ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 after Pakistan announced its support for Bangladesh\u2019s decision to boycott T20 matches in India, sources told Geo News.
\nThe ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is set to take place from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka.
\nThe team management will be briefed later on the future course of action, the official said.
\nThey have also been asked to prepare a contingency plan in the event Pakistan decides not to participate in the tournament.
\nPakistan has expressed full support for Bangladesh\u2019s decision not to travel to India for the World Cup, describing Bangladesh\u2019s security concerns as reasonable and valid.
\nOfficials have added that if the issue concerning Bangladesh\u2019s participation remains unresolved, Pakistan will reconsider its own participation in the event.
\nThe sources confirmed that Pakistan is fully backing its neighbours, describing Bangladesh\u2019s security concerns as \u201creasonable and valid.\u201d
\nYesterday, reports emerged that Pakistan is reviewing its participation in the tournament if Bangladesh\u2019s concerns are not resolved satisfactorily.
\nInsiders emphasised that no country should face pressure or threats regarding hosting responsibilities.
\nOn January 11, the PCB expressed willingness to host Bangladesh\u2019s fixtures in the T20 World Cup if venues in Sri Lanka are unavailable.
\nAll Pakistani venues are reportedly ready to stage World Cup matches, with officials highlighting the successful hosting of major ICC events, including the Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women\u2019s Qualifier.
\nIn a related development, Cricket Ireland (CI) clarified that the ICC will not move Ireland\u2019s group-stage matches from Sri Lanka, dismissing reports that Bangladesh might swap groups due to travel concerns.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve received definitive assurances that we won\u2019t move from the original schedule. We\u2019re definitely playing the group stage in Sri Lanka,\u201d a Cricket Ireland official confirmed.
\nA final decision on Bangladesh\u2019s participation, particularly regarding travel to India, is expected by January 21, following recent discussions between the ICC and BCB in Dhaka.
\nDuring their second meeting in a week, the BCB reiterated its willingness to compete but expressed a preference for playing matches outside India, with Sri Lanka proposed as a possible alternative.
\nThe ICC has maintained that the original schedule will remain unchanged, with Bangladesh placed in Group C.
\nTheir opening match is set against West Indies in Kolkata, followed by two more group games at the same venue, before concluding in Mumbai.
\nThe ICC told the BCB that there is no specific threat to the Bangladesh team.
\nThe ICC is expected to nominate a replacement team, with Scotland currently next in line based on rankings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Amid Bangladesh concerns Officials say if Bangladesh concerns remain unresolved, Pakistan will reconsider participation lahore The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has halted team preparations for the ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 after Pakistan announced its support for Bangladesh\u2019s decision to boycott T20 matches in India, sources told Geo News. The ICC T20 World Cup […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":526602,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-526585","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n