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Pakistan players and PCB chief met in Lahore, supporting government decisions on T20 World Cup amid Bangladesh controversy and financial risks.
Doubt looms over Pakistan’s participation T20 World Cup Participation
Pakistan players have expressed their support for his or her government and cricket board regarding the team’s participation in next month’s World Cup, based on a report.
All the highest players met with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore on Sunday afternoon and guaranteed him that they’d support any decision taken by the federal government and PCB, sources told Telecomasia.net.
“We’re all with our government and cricket board and back their stance of protesting what happened to Bangladesh.”
Naqvi met the players of the World Cup squad, announced on Sunday, to transient them on the team’s participation within the T20I World Cup, amidst uncertainty following Bangladesh’s elimination from the World Cup in an unjust decision.
In the course of the media briefing on the squad announcement, Pakistan’s selector Aaqib Javed was questioned concerning the team’s possibilities of participating within the event. “As players and management, we’re preparing for the World Cup, and it’s as much as the PCB and government to take a final call.”
Sources indicated that players were also discussing the opportunity of a pullout. “Players, including skipper Salman Agha, have discussed this and were barely uncertain whether or not they should keep preparing for the World Cup or not. On this regard, the chairman’s briefing will help them.”
After Scotland was announced as a alternative following the rejection of Bangladesh’s request to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka, Naqvi made waves within the cricketing world by stating that Pakistan’s participation will depend on government clearance.
“Whether we play within the T20 World Cup or not, the choice might be taken by the federal government,” Naqvi said on Saturday.
“Our PM (Shahbaz Sharif) is in another country. When he returns, we are going to seek advice from him. The federal government’s decision might be final and binding. In the event that they say no, then the ICC may invite one other team.”
Naqvi mentioned that the PCB has alternate plans. “We’ve alternate plans A, B, and C, which we are able to use when the time comes. We’ve done this before throughout the Champions Trophy, so that is nothing recent for us, and we all know the right way to handle such matters.”
Pakistan’s withdrawal could be a significant blow to the International Cricket Council, because the match between Pakistan and India generates significant revenue, reportedly amounting to 500 million dollars.
Nonetheless, Pakistan may face financial consequences in the event that they pull out, because the ICC might consider their reason invalid, on condition that they’re already playing at a neutral venue without security concerns.
Last yr, the ICC decided that matches between India and Pakistan, hosted by either country at ICC events throughout the 2024-2027 cycle, could be played at a neutral venue. This decision got here after months of a stand-off ahead of last yr’s Champions Trophy when India refused to travel to Pakistan over security fears.
The agreement prolonged to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, hosted by India, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has also urged the PCB to take a firm decision.
“If the Pakistan-India match doesn’t occur, 50 per cent of your World Cup is gone. That is an important opportunity to challenge the prevailing cricket order. Pakistan should say they stand with Bangladesh and refuse to play the T20 World Cup. That is the time to take a stand. You wish a robust heart to do it,” Latif said.
Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi also supported any decision related to a withdrawal. “It might be a tricky decision, but I’ll back it. Mohsin Naqvi understands the sport and has a great grasp of all points. Whatever decision he makes might be right, and he should keep on with it.”
January 25, 2026, 23:07 IST
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