 "Pakistan backs Bangladesh in standoff with ICC over India-hosted T20 World Cup matches: Report")
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday reportedly joined the tussle between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) by writing an email in support of the latter. PCB sent an email to ICC supporting Bangladesh’s demand to move their T20 World Cup 2026 matches outside India amid worsening relationships between the two neighbours.
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Bangladesh had been persistently demanding that their matches be moved from India to Sri Lanka due to a security threat. But the ICC has refused to accept their demand. Now Pakistan have joined the conversation with an email that was also marked to the members of the ICC Board, reported ESPN.
Pakistan backs Bangladesh in standoff with ICC
Pakistan is most likely trying to create pressure on the ICC to give in to Bangladesh’s demands. Pakistan’s email in support of Bangladesh comes weeks after multiple rumours linking them to the ongoing standoff. It was reported a while back that Pakistan was ready to host Bangladesh matches in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Around last weekend and earlier this week, news reports stated that Pakistan could also boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 to show solidarity with Bangladesh. It has to be noted that during the Asia Cup trophy fiasco, Bangladesh had sided with Pakistan against India. Nonetheless, PCB has not said anything officially.
The report in ESPN also added that Pakistan’s email would not make any difference to the ICC, which has decided not to shift Bangladesh matches from India to Sri Lanka. The ICC is expected to hold a Board meeting on Wednesday to make a final decision on Bangladesh’s demand.
The ICC last week informed Bangladesh that the matches would not be moved to Sri Lanka, and 21 January, Wednesday, was set as a deadline for BCB to make a final call.
On Tuesday, Asif Nazrul, the sports advisor to the interim Muhammad Yunus-led government in Bangladesh, once again reiterated that they do not want to play their matches in India. This could lead to ICC replacing them with Scotland. However, there’s a high chance a compromise will be reached between the parties.
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