Pakistan's boycott drama exposed: Inside PCB’s political posturing over T20 World Cup 2026

Inside details of the Monday (26 January) meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif over participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 have been revealed. PCB chairman Naqvi met the country’s head after the International Cricket Council (ICC) removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup for refusing to play their matches in India.

Pakistan have expressed displeasure at ICC’s decision and also threatened to boycott the T20 World Cup, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February. A meeting between Naqvi and Sharif was held to take a final call, and the decision could come out today (Friday, 30 January).

“Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz 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,” Naqvi had said on X on Monday.

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Now, an insider has revealed to news agency PTI that while Naqvi told the Pakistan PM that all options are under consideration during the meeting, he also reiterated that his main focus is on maintaining a good relationship with ICC and other board members.

“When PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, he clearly conveyed that all options under consideration must ensure a stable and prosperous future for Pakistan cricket and preserve good relations with the ICC and member boards,” an insider told PTI.

This only underlines that the meeting between the two decision-makers was merely political posturing, and a real boycott may never happen, as it could lead to a loss of over Rs 300 crore Indian rupees. A loss that can destroy cricket in Pakistan.

The source also refuted the rumours in Pakistani media that PCB will boycott the T20 World Cup, as it pointed out that Pakistan don’t have grounds to take such a harsh decision after their request to play World Cup matches at neutral venues had been accommodated by the ICC and the Indian government has agreed to play against them in global events.

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“The Indian government has refused to send its team to Pakistan, but there is no restriction on India playing Pakistan in ICC events or Asia Cup-level tournaments at neutral venues,” the source said.

“So on what grounds can Pakistan justify boycotting the match against India when its government has consistently maintained that politics should not be mixed with sport?” he added.

A PCB official also informed that tickets have been booked for the Pakistan cricket team to Colombo for the T20 World Cup.

“The PCB has already made travel arrangements for the World Cup squad to depart early morning on February 2 for Colombo,” a PCB source said.

Pakistan’s first T20 World Cup 2026 match is against the Netherlands on 7 February.