Former PCB chairman in support of Pakistan’s World Cup boycott

Reports have emerged that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling over boycotting the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup in the event Bangladesh pull out of the tournament. While the PCB has not made any comment on the matter, the former PCB chairman, Najam Sethi, backs the board’s reported decision. 

How did the standoff begin?

For context, Bangladesh refused to play their T20 World Cup games in India, citing the political tension between the two countries. The decision came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to remove Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rehman from their squad. 

Earlier, the PCB wrote to the ICC expressing its support for Bangladesh and requesting that the governing body ensure the team is not pressured to play the tournament despite security concerns. 

After weeks of uncertainty over the matter, on January 21, the ICC board members voted in favour of leaving out Bangladesh in case of non-compliance with the schedule, and replacing them with Scotland. 

Sethi backs Naqvi

Speaking about the situation, Sethi threw his weight behind the PCB chair, Mohsin Naqvi. 

"Bangladesh decided to boycott the World Cup; now it remains to be seen what the PCB decides," said Sethi.

"Mohsin Naqvi understands the game and has a good understanding of all aspects. Whatever decision Mohsin Naqvi makes will be right. If other countries stand up after Pakistan, the ICC will realise that this is not the Indian Cricket Council, but the International Cricket Council."

The 2026 T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin in almost two weeks, with the first game set to be played on February 7 in Colombo between Pakistan and the Netherlands. 

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