Pakistan National Cricket Team: Pakistan’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has come under doubt after the Pakistan Cricket Board said the final decision will be taken by the country’s government. PCB chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Pakistan government will decide whether the national team will take part in the tournament Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the issue would be placed before Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif after he returns from an overseas visit.

“Whether we play in the T20 World Cup or not, the decision will be taken by the government,” Naqvi said as quoted  by PTI. “Our PM (Shahbaz Sharif) is out of the country. When he comes, we will take advice from him. The decision by the government will be final and binding, and if they say no, then they (ICC) may invite any other team.”

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Naqvi said Bangladesh had been treated unfairly by the ICC and described it as a major stakeholder in world cricket. “Bangladesh is a big stakeholder and they have been unfairly treated in this case. This I maintained in Wednesday’s meeting as well and their stance has many factors which I will tell when the situation arrives,” he said. “One country is dictating. When the ICC changed venues for Pakistan and India in a favour, then why it was not done for Bangladesh?” asked Naqvi.

Naqvi said the PCB would follow the government’s directive once a decision is taken. “Our policy and position are clear. When the time comes, and the government makes a decision, everyone will know about it. We are not under the ICC; we are subservient to our government. Once the PM returns, he will decide. We will follow government directives.”

The development comes days after reports that Bangladesh has been dropped from the tournament following its refusal to play matches in India due to security concerns. The ICC later replaced Bangladesh with Scotland. The PCB was the only member nation to support Bangladesh’s request to shift its matches to Sri Lanka. According to the reports, fourteen other ICC members voted against the proposal.