T20 World Cup 2026: In another substantial development around the ouster of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC (International Cricket Council) is working on a way to reinstate the Litton Das-led team back into the tournament, as per a report. It all started when the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to travel to India for the marquee tournament after 'sensing' security concerns for their players, asking ICC to shift their matches to Sri Lanka, the co-hosts for the tournament.
After a series of discussions between the ICC and BCB officials, the governing body based in Dubai decided to switch Bangladesh with Scotland after the former remained adamant on its stance. Interestingly, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) was the only board among others which has supported Bangladesh on this stance.
Bangladesh To Replace Pakistan?
Pakistan are also considering a boycott of the upcoming T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh. If they indeed go through with the 'decision', ICC might just reinstate Bangladesh's participation by replacing them with Pakistan in the schedule. Notably, Pakistan are already playing their matches out of India.
“If Pakistan decide to withdraw, Bangladesh would be given the opportunity to replace them in Group A and play all their matches in Sri Lanka as per BCB’s original request. This arrangement would pose limited logistical challenges," the report quoted an official as saying.
Mohsin Naqvi On PAK's T20 World Cup Participation
Recently, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi met with the Pakistan Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, to brief him on the matter of the International Cricket Council (ICC) removing Bangladesh from the upcoming T20 Men's World Cup, starting February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, said that Pakistan would take a final call on participation in the tournament by Friday or Monday.
"Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday," the PCB chairman wrote on X.
Earlier, PCB chairman and the country's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, had indicated that Pakistan could reconsider its participation in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after Bangladesh were ejected from the tournament by the ICC, reported Dawn News.
Inputs from Agency