Pakistan Backtracks on Boycott, Confirms Support for Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 Participation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rejected any news regarding their intention to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 to show their backing to Bangladesh’s request to move their matches from Indian soil.

This announcement was made by PCB, just hours after there were rumors that PAK will boycott this major competition if their request is not accepted by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Bangladesh’s request to move their matches from Indian to Sri Lankan soil has been rejected by the ICC several times, as reported.

According to RevSportz, it was revealed by PCB source, saying for the publication that the position of the Pakistan Cricket Board concerning boycotting the T20 World Cup 2026 in favor of Bangladesh was not the viewpoint of the cricket board. Pakistan does not have the right to boycott the matches because all their matches have already been taking place at a neutral ground, Sri Lanka.

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India Founded: 1926

The India National Cricket Team represents India in international cricket and is one of the strongest teams in the world.

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Pakistan Founded: 1952

The Pakistan cricket team is known for producing some of the most fearsome fast bowlers in world cricket.

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Bangladesh Founded: 1972

The Bangladesh National Cricket Team, also known as the Tigers or Bangla Tigers, is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1977.

Pakistan will boycott the World Cup if Bangladesh’s demands are not met! In such a situation, thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for standing with Bangladesh.🇧🇩🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/72Uldc0zCL

— Resistance.🇧🇩 (@Abubakar1594673) January 19, 2026

The PCB source said that,

“Nope, this is not the PCB’s stand. Pakistan don’t have any ground to do so, for the ICC would tell the PCB that they are already playing their matches in Sri Lanka. People just float such things to fire up the issue,”

Amidst the increasing tension between India and Bangladesh, the latter has had several letters exchanged with the ICC, right from shifting the venues for their matches to even swapping groups with Ireland. The purpose was, of course, that they do not play either against or in Indian territory. But, much against their plans, things have not proved in their favor so far.

The ICC has been resolute that the previous plan will not change, and a deadline of January 21 has been given for a final call The causes of this conflict have been traced back to the expulsion of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL squad of Knights of Kolkata in IPL 2026 as per BCCI directives, which led to huge outrage in Bangladesh, resulting in a ban on broadcasting IPL in Bangladesh. Since the IPL is scheduled to commence from February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, ICC is left with very little time to give in to a compromise.

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by K D Mishra January 20, 2026