In a transfer that has despatched shockwaves by means of the worldwide cricketing group, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally halted all nationwide crew preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This drastic step is a direct present of solidarity with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which has expressed vital safety issues relating to enjoying its event fixtures in India.
The standoff comes at a important juncture, because the event—co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka—is scheduled to start in early February 2026. Pakistan’s resolution to ease up on its coaching and preparation suggests a possible withdrawal from the occasion, a transfer that might jeopardize the industrial and aggressive viability of the ICC’s flagship T20 event.
Pakistan pauses T20 World Cup build-up to face with Bangladesh
The friction started earlier this month following a controversial directive from the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI reportedly instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to revoke the contract of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. This resolution, cited as being on account of developments throughout, sparked instant outrage in Dhaka.
In retaliation, the BCB formally requested the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate its matches—at present scheduled for Kolkata and Mumbai—to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh has maintained that the present political local weather makes journey to India unsafe for its contingent.
Pakistan, led by PCB Chairman and Inside Minister Mohsin Naqvi, has now waded into the dispute. Following high-level discussions between Dhaka and Islamabad, Naqvi confirmed that Pakistan absolutely backs Bangladesh’s stance. Prime PCB sources point out that if Bangladesh’s calls for for a venue relocation should not met, Pakistan is ready to rethink its personal participation within the World Cup.
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ICC ultimatum and the $2 Million forfeiture threat
ICC at present finds itself in a diplomatic minefield. Whereas the governing physique’s unbiased threat assessments have labelled the safety menace in India as low to reasonable, the BCB stays unmoved. In a current assembly, the ICC reportedly issued an ultimatum: Bangladesh should affirm its participation by January 21 or face being changed within the event, with Scotland at present the frontrunner to take their spot.
For Pakistan, the stakes are equally excessive. Withdrawing from an ICC occasion with no legitimate cause (as outlined by the ICC’s authorized framework) might result in a advantageous of as much as $2 million for violating the Member’s Participation Settlement. Regardless of this, the PCB has even provided to host Bangladesh’s matches in Pakistan if Sri Lankan venues are at capability, additional difficult the prevailing internet hosting construction.
Because the January 21 deadline approaches, the cricket world stays on edge. The potential absence of each Bangladesh and Pakistan wouldn’t solely lead to huge income losses for broadcasters and sponsors however would additionally mark one of the vital political disruptions to worldwide cricket within the trendy period.
Additionally READ: Tamim Iqbal under fire for questioning BCB’s decision to move Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup games from India
