The Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly informed the International Cricket Council that it supports Bangladesh’s refusal to play its T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India. According to reports, the PCB sent a formal communication backing the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s concerns, which are rooted in security and political considerations.
The letter was circulated among all ICC board members ahead of a crucial meeting scheduled to discuss Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.
As per the report, the PCB’s message emphasized that it aligns with the BCB’s position and referenced “political instability in the region” as a key reason behind the decision. The development adds another layer of complexity for the ICC, which is already navigating sensitive geopolitical issues involving member nations ahead of the global event.
ICC Faces Tough Decision Ahead of T20 World Cup
The ICC Board is set to meet to take a final call on whether Bangladesh will play its scheduled matches in India. The tournament is set to begin on February 7, with Bangladesh originally slated to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board, with backing from its government, has remained firm in its refusal to send the team to India.
Despite multiple discussions between the ICC and BCB—including a recent meeting in Dhaka—no breakthrough has been achieved. The ICC has maintained that the tournament should proceed as planned, while Bangladesh has continued to push for its matches to be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka. The BCB has clearly communicated that it “cannot send their team to India,” underlining that the issue goes beyond cricketing logistics.
Political Tensions Add to Cricketing Uncertainty
The report also suggests that the Bangladesh government actively sought Pakistan’s support on the matter, prompting the PCB to step in. While the PCB has not made any public statement, board sources confirmed that Islamabad was approached for backing at the ICC level. This mirrors Pakistan’s own arrangement, as the national team will play all its matches in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model agreement with the ICC and the BCCI until 2027.
The situation reportedly escalated after Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, following a BCCI directive that cited “recent developments all around.”
This was followed by the Bangladesh government banning the broadcast of the IPL, further straining cricketing ties. Subsequently, the BCB formally notified the ICC of its decision not to play World Cup matches in India, leaving the global body with a delicate and high-stakes decision to make.
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