Is Pakistan planning T20 World Cup boycott in support of Bangladesh? Contrasting reports emerge amid ICC-BCB standoff

The ongoing standoff between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council could worsen in the coming days with Pakistan now reportedly reconsidering its participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, after all, is seeking Pakistan’s support on its refusal to travel to India for the upcoming tournament, a stance they have refused to budge from this past week despite repeated discussions with the ICC, according to multiple reports.

According to a report on Geo News, Pakistan has come out in support of what they describe as Bangladesh's legitimate concerns over safety and security, adding that no country should face pressure or threats from India.

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Bangladesh has urged the ICC to move their group stage fixtures – all of which take place in India as per the current schedule – to Sri Lanka. Pakistan, however, has expressed willingness to host the Litton Das-led squad in the upcoming mega event if the Sri Lankans are unable to do so.

And the report adds that Pakistani venues are prepared to host World Cup matches on a last-minute basis should their offer be accepted.

Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul had recently stated that they would be comfortable playing anywhere outside India, even in Pakistan or the United Arab Emirates, and that the alternate venue did not necessarily have to be in Sri Lanka.

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Has PCB backtracked on Bangladesh support? 

It is, however, worth noting that the PCB has not made an official statement amid the T20 World Cup drama between the ICC and the BCB.

And according to a report on RevSportz later on Monday, the Mohsin Naqvi-led board has not many any such decision ahead of the mega event, with a PCB source suggesting that the reports were mere rumours meant to grab eyeballs ahead of a big event.

The source added that Pakistan have no grounds for withdrawing from the tournament in protest as they will be playing all of their matches in Sri Lanka, including the final should they qualify, as per an existing ‘Hybrid Model’ agreement with the BCCI.

“Nope, this is not the PCB’s stand. Pakistan don’t have any ground to do so, for the ICC would tell the PCB that they are already playing their matches in Sri Lanka. People just float such things to fire up the issue,” the source was quoted as saying in the report.

India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with the former entering the tournament as the defending champions.

As per the tournament schedule released in November, Bangladesh are placed in Group C alongside two-time champions England and West Indies as well as Nepal and debutants Italy. They play three of their four group matches at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens and later face Nepal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

BCB had also recently suggested the idea of swapping groups with Ireland, who are placed in Group B alongside former champions Australia and Sri Lanka as well as Zimbabwe and Oman. Ireland play all of their group matches in Sri Lanka, and the Bangladeshi board felt such a move would result in minimal disturbance to the ICC’s logistics and planning.

Also Read | ICC draw line as Bangladesh push to play T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Sri Lanka and not India: Report

Cricket Ireland, however, has since shot down such a proposal, and have firmly indicated they would like to stick to the existing schedule. ICC, too, aren’t likely to accept the BCB’s demand, having found no credible security threat to Bangladesh in India following independent security assessments ahead of the tournament.

The BCB’s refusal to travel to India came in the immediate aftermath of Mustafizur Rahman’s controversial release from Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad in the Indian Premier League.