PCB chairman consults PM on Pakistan’s participation in T20 World Cup 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that a final nod on Pakistan’s participation in the partly India-hosted T20 World Cup will be shared this Friday or on Monday in the coming week.

The news reported Pakistan’s visit to India after the PCB chairman’s “fruitful” meeting with Prime Minister Shehzad Sharif on Monday evening in Islamabad.

Taking Social media platform X, Naqvi said, “[I] had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, adding that he briefed him on the ICC matter.

In response, “The PM 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”.

Meanwhile, Naqvi will take the final call on the national team’s participation in line with the prime minister’s guidance.

Sources said that if Pakistan decides to play in the tournament, the PCB is considering a range of protest measures in response to Bangladesh’s exclusion from the event.

Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad 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. pic.twitter.com/6SOvNdLceW

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) January 26, 2026

These include the possibility of refusing to play Pakistan’s fixture against India or having players wear black armbands during matches. Any victories, sources said, could be dedicated to Bangladesh cricket supporters.

Bangladesh was excluded from the tournament after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected its refusal to travel to India, citing security concerns.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board had barred its team from touring India following the exclusion of a Bangladeshi player from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on security grounds.

Bangladesh officials argued that if adequate security could not be guaranteed for an individual player, ensuring the safety of an entire squad would not be possible. The ICC, however, declined to accept the position and included Scotland in Bangladesh’s place.

Naqvi had earlier publicly supported Bangladesh’s stance, describing it as principled, and criticised what he termed the ICC’s “double standards”.

Separately, concerns over the tournament’s hosting have emerged following reports of a Nipah virus outbreak in India. Health authorities in West Bengal have confirmed infections in five people, including two nurses and a doctor, with several reported to be in critical condition.

The outbreak has been reported weeks ahead of the scheduled start of the T20 World Cup on February 7, raising questions over preparations, logistics and security should the situation worsen.