After Bangladesh upset
\nPCB chief briefs PM Shehbaz on recent developments between ICC and BCB regarding T20 World Cup
\n ISLAMABAD
\nPakistan is weighing a possible withdrawal from the ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 after Bangladesh\u2019s exclusion from the tournament sparked concern in Islamabad over what it considers unfair and discriminatory handling by the International Cricket Council.
\nHighly placed sources in the corridors of power confirmed to The News that the federal government may not permit the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send the national team to the World Cup T20, scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, amid growing resentment over what is being termed as the ICC\u2019s \u201cblatant double standards.\u201d The controversy erupted after the ICC denied Bangladesh the option to play its matches in Sri Lanka despite security concerns, a decision that ultimately led to Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland, an outcome that has triggered serious alarm bells in Islamabad. A final decision is expected following a crucial meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad on Monday (today). \u201cThe final decision rests with the prime minister, but early indications suggest that the government may not allow Pakistan to participate in the T20 World Cup,\u201d a senior government source revealed.
\n\u201cThis is not just about cricket, it is about principles. Bangladesh has been deprived of its legitimate right, and the ICC\u2019s step-motherly treatment has forced Pakistan to seriously rethink its participation.\u201d The source further stressed that sports governance cannot be held hostage to the preferences of a single country.
\n\u201cThere cannot be dual standards in international sports. On one hand, India enjoys the liberty to choose venues at will, while on the other, countries like Bangladesh are denied venue changes despite citing security concerns. If the ICC truly wants cricket to thrive as a global sport, such selective policies must end.\u201d
\nNaqvi has already voiced strong dismay over the ICC\u2019s handling of the matter, warning that replacing Bangladesh with Scotland reflects a disturbing inconsistency in the council\u2019s policies and undermines the spirit of fairness. However, he made it clear that the PCB will abide by the federal government\u2019s directive.
\n\u201cThe final call on Pakistan\u2019s participation lies with the government, and the PCB is bound to follow instructions from the top,\u201d he said. Meanwhile, Pakistan\u2019s cricketers have thrown their full weight behind the PCB chairman. During a meeting held in Lahore, players unanimously backed the decision to participate or withdraw from the World Cup strictly in line with the federal government\u2019s stance.
\nAs the cricketing world watches closely, Pakistan\u2019s possible withdrawal could trigger unprecedented ripples across international cricket, raising serious questions about governance, neutrality and fairness at the highest level of the game. \u2014 DNA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After Bangladesh upset PCB chief briefs PM Shehbaz on recent developments between ICC and BCB regarding T20 World Cup ISLAMABAD Pakistan is weighing a possible withdrawal from the ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 after Bangladesh\u2019s exclusion from the tournament sparked concern in Islamabad over what it considers unfair and discriminatory handling by the International […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":527809,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-527786","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n