Pakistan could rethink its participation in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup if Bangladesh’s dispute over travelling to India is not resolved.
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Pakistan could rethink its participation in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup if Bangladesh’s dispute over travelling to India is not resolved. This development has added new tension to an already sensitive situation ahead of the global tournament.
According to sources , the Bangladesh government has approached Pakistan for diplomatic and cricketing support. This came after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to play its World Cup matches in India, citing security concerns.
A source said that Pakistan responded positively to Bangladesh’s request. Islamabad reportedly indicated that it could also reconsider its own participation in the tournament if Bangladesh’s concerns are ignored.
🚨 PAKISTAN STANDS WITH BANGLADESH 🚨
— Maaz (@_mzk_______) January 19, 2026
- PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stopped all preparations of the Pakistan team for the World Cup.
- The team management will be informed later about the future course of action. (Geo News)#PCB #CricketNews #SportNews pic.twitter.com/5icTBIaIOz
This situation has put the International Cricket Council (ICC) under serious pressure. The ICC has been trying to calm the crisis and find a solution that works for all parties.
The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on 7 February 2026 and will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Any disruption involving multiple Full Member teams could severely impact the tournament’s planning and credibility.
Improving Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations
🚨 PCB SUPPORTS BANGLADESH AGAINST BCCI 🚨
— Rayham (@RayhamUnplugged) January 11, 2026
- PCB has decided to step forward in support of the Bangladesh Cricket Board amid the T20 World Cup issue. pic.twitter.com/2URJjT6dPE
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have improved since political changes in Dhaka last year, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power and later fled to India. Bangladesh has requested her extradition, but India has not acted on it, which has strained ties between the two countries.
Cricketing relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have also strengthened. During last year’s Asia Cup, both cricket boards worked closely together. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi received strong backing from BCB president Aminul Islam, and Pakistan supported Bangladesh’s call for an Asian Cricket Council meeting.
The current deadlock began when Bangladesh refused to send its team to India for the T20 World Cup. This decision came despite an ICC-ordered security review that found no specific threats.
After talks with the ICC, the BCB said it would continue discussions but did not change its stance. Soon after, Bangladesh officially informed the ICC that it would not play any World Cup matches in India.
Tensions between India and Bangladesh have increased in recent months. One major incident was the release of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman by Kolkata Knight Riders from their IPL 2026 squad. While no official reason was given, the move was widely seen as politically linked.
In response, the Bangladesh government banned IPL broadcasts in the country, further worsening relations.
Conclusion
The ICC now faces a serious challenge as Pakistan shows support for Bangladesh in its refusal to play matches in India. If both teams choose to boycott the tournament, it would create an unprecedented crisis for world cricket. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, the ICC must act quickly to find a solution, as the tournament schedule and future remain uncertain.
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