LAHORE: Pakistan may consider boycotting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 if Bangladesh decide to withdraw from the tournament following the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) refusal to relocate their matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns, sources told local media on Thursday.
The situation has intensified as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is expected to make a final decision on whether to send its national team to India for the 20-team global event, scheduled from February 7 to March 8, 2026. The decision is reportedly being taken after consultations with players, team management, and government authorities.
According to insiders, a majority of Bangladesh players are inclined to participate in the tournament despite the concerns. However, should Bangladesh formally pull out, Pakistan are likely to respond by boycotting the event in solidarity, adding another layer of complexity to an already sensitive issue surrounding the marquee tournament.
The development follows the ICC’s formal rejection of BCB’s request to move Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka. The cricket’s governing body reiterated that the World Cup will proceed strictly according to the announced schedule, with matches hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka.
In an official statement, the ICC confirmed that Bangladesh’s fixtures would remain in India, explaining that the decision was taken during an ICC Board meeting held via video conference on January 21. The meeting was convened specifically to discuss the BCB’s concerns and their proposal to alter the venue arrangement.
As per the confirmed schedule, Bangladesh are placed in Group C and will play their first three group-stage matches in Kolkata—against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14. The Tigers are then scheduled to conclude their group campaign against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
Following the ICC’s decision, BCB President Aminul Islam acknowledged the governing body’s stance but said he had requested additional time to consult with the Bangladesh government before making a final call.
He stated that the ICC had given him a window of 24 to 48 hours to return with a response after discussions at the governmental level. Islam emphasized that the board did not wish to pressure authorities but maintained that security concerns remained central to their position.
While expressing hope for a possible reconsideration, the BCB president said both players and government officials were keen for Bangladesh to take part in the World Cup. However, he stressed that national safety considerations go beyond players alone and involve broader assessments by the state.
With the clock ticking and regional tensions influencing cricketing decisions, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 now faces uncertainty, as potential withdrawals or boycotts could significantly impact the tournament’s competitive balance and global appeal.
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