ICC T20 World Cup 2026: After Bangladesh's exit, will Pakistan follow the same path?

A major development has unfolded ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Bangladesh officially removed from the tournament following prolonged uncertainty over their participation. The decision came after the International Cricket Council (ICC) turned down a request to relocate their fixtures from India over security concern.

Following this development, questions are being raised over Pakistan’s participation following Bangladesh’s dramatic exit from the tournament. While Bangladesh has already been removed after refusing to travel to India, comments from the Pakistan Cricket Board have added a new layer of intrigue to the build-up of the global event.

Bangladesh had earlier informed the ICC that it would not send its team to India for the tournament, citing security concerns. The situation escalated after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders, prompting the BCB to request that their World Cup matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka.

Also Read: Scotland set to replace Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2026: ICC sources

ICC Stands Firm on Schedule

Despite the request, the ICC remained firm on conducting the tournament as per the original schedule. After discussions with players on January 22, Bangladesh decided to boycott the event. The board also approached the ICC’s dispute resolution committee as a last resort, but their appeal was rejected.

Following Bangladesh’s withdrawal, the ICC moved swiftly and announced Scotland as the replacement team on Saturday, January 24.

Pakistan Reacts, Raises Concerns

The development has now put the spotlight on Pakistan’s participation. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi criticised the ICC’s handling of the situation and expressed concern over what he termed “double standards.” Speaking to reporters, as quoted by Dawn, Naqvi said Bangladesh had been treated unfairly and insisted that consistent policies should apply to all member nations.

Naqvi also stated that Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 would depend on the decision taken by the government, indicating that the situation is being closely monitored.

Questions Over Consistency

“You cannot have double standards, where one country can make whatever decision whenever and do the total opposite for another country,” Naqvi said, adding that he had raised the issue during an ICC board meeting.

With Bangladesh already replaced and Pakistan voicing strong concerns, uncertainty now looms over the tournament’s final lineup. As tensions continue to rise, the ICC’s next steps will be closely watched, with fans and stakeholders awaiting clarity on whether further changes could follow.

The Mega event is scheduled to start from February 7 till March 8.