ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, politics has once again taken center stage in international cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering boycotting its high-profile group match against India following the International Cricket Council (ICC) decision to exclude Bangladesh from the tournament.

The controversy began after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to travel to India for the World Cup, requesting that its matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. The ICC rejected the proposal and issued a 24-hour ultimatum. With no response from Bangladesh, the ICC removed the team from the tournament and named Scotland as their replacement.

The decision has drawn strong criticism from the PCB, which has expressed dissatisfaction with the exclusion of Bangladesh. Pakistan had earlier threatened to boycott the tournament and later announced its squad quietly following warnings from the ICC.

According to reports from Geo Super, Pakistan is now seriously weighing the option of skipping its group match against India, scheduled for February 15 at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sources indicate that the move would be a protest against the ICC’s decision and the inclusion of Scotland. However, such a boycott would result in Pakistan forfeiting two points, and analysts warn it could also cause significant financial losses for the ICC.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that discussions will be held with team management and government officials before a final decision is taken. He stated that consultations with the federal government are necessary, and a decision would be made only after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returns to the country. Naqvi also alleged double standards by the ICC and questioned whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) influenced the decision.

Pakistan is scheduled to play the Netherlands on February 7, the USA on February 10, India on February 15, and Namibia on February 18. All group matches will be held in Colombo. The Super-8 stage will run from February 21 to March 1, followed by semi-finals on March 3 and 5. The final is scheduled for March 8 and will be played either in Ahmedabad or Colombo.

Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan in the tournament. Senior batter Babar Azam has been included in the squad despite recent poor form, while experienced players Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan have been left out.