Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman, Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, expressed that Pakistan’s decision to boycott the IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2026 match was aimed at securing respect for Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s cricket team was excluded from participating in the ongoing tournament after they refused to play on India’s soil, citing security concerns.
Mohsin Naqvi found himself at the centre of a controversy because of his bizarre statements on the much-awaited India vs Pakistan match, which is scheduled to take place on 15th February.
For the unversed, the controversy started when the Government of Pakistan refused to participate in the high-octane clash in protest after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was excluded from the tournament over security and venue concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board and the Government of Pakistan had signalled solidarity with Bangladesh, also prompting the ICC to take action to preserve the integrity of the prestigious tournament. However, Pakistan has now formally reversed its decision to boycott the IND vs PAK match.
Mohsin Naqvi Breaks Silence On Pakistan’s U-Turn On Boycott Threats Of IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2026 Match
Ahead of the much-awaited India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2026 match, Mohsin Naqvi addressed the media at a Pakistan Super League (PSL) presser, where the journalists bombarded him with questions on the recent controversy and wanted clarity on the board’s decision.
During the interview, Mohsin Naqvi was caught off guard when a journalist asked about clarity on whether the Pakistan Cricket Board had secured any benefits for itself in the negotiations with the ICC. Responding candidly to this question, Naqvi said:
“Humne apne liye kuch nahi kiya” (which means, “I didn’t do anything for myself.”)
“We did not discuss anything apart from Bangladesh, our only purpose was to get Bangladesh respect, to highlight the injustice done to them. And you saw that whatever demands Bangladesh made, they were accepted. That’s it,” Naqvi said.
“We had no personal interest in the meeting … our task was purely related to Bangladesh. The government made the decision on that (basis).”
“When their demands have been accepted, and it has been acknowledged that injustice was done to them, we are playing after that,” he added.
On Sunday, Mohsin Naqvi met Bangladesh chief Aminul Islam and ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja in Lahore to sort out the issue over Pakistan’s proposed boycott of their T20 World Cup 2026 match against India.
“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the Pakistan government stated in a press release on Monday.
“…this decision has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket, and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations,” the statement from the Pakistan government added.
Notably, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also had a word with Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also urged him to allow the Pakistani players to participate in the IND vs PAK match.
VIDEO – Mohsin Naqvi Praised, But A Man Beside Him Laughs
Meanwhile, a video of Mohsin Naqvi has gone viral on the internet, where he was praised by a reporter for ‘bringing the ICC to its knees.’ The video is from the Pakistan Super League Auction event, which took place before Pakistan took a U-turn on their decision to boycott Team India at the T20 World Cup 2026.
In the viral video, a reporter was heard asking, “You have brought the ICC to its knees, sir. Could you please give us some updates on this?”
However, the new owner of Multan Sultans, who was sitting right next to Mohsin Naqvi, struggled to hold back his laughter at the reporter’s over-the-top praise, and the moment quickly went viral online.
Watch the viral video:
🚨JOKER PAKISTAN 🚨
– Pakistani journalist said to Mohsin naqvi you brought ICC to their knees 😅
– After hearing this statement a person sitting next to Mohsin naqvi started laughing 😂😂
– A funny video pic.twitter.com/eKlrIj9Zmh
— JB (@93Yorker) February 10, 2026
