Pakistan has formally stepped into the growing controversy surrounding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, throwing its weight behind Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India for the tournament amid security and political concerns.
According to multiple reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), expressing support for the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) demand to shift its World Cup fixtures out of India. The correspondence was also circulated among ICC Board members ahead of a crucial meeting expected to decide the matter.
Bangladesh have asked for their matches to be moved to Sri Lanka, India’s co-host for the 2026 edition. While the ICC has so far maintained that the existing schedule should remain unchanged, Pakistan’s intervention has added another layer of pressure to an already sensitive situation.
The ICC Board is understood to be meeting on Wednesday to deliberate Bangladesh’s request. Although it is unclear whether Pakistan’s letter directly prompted the meeting, the timing has drawn attention, especially with the tournament set to begin in less than three weeks.
Bangladesh, backed firmly by its government, has stood its ground and refused to travel to India for group-stage matches. Several rounds of discussions between the ICC and the BCB, including meetings held in Dhaka last weekend, have failed to break the deadlock. January 21 was reportedly set as a deadline for clarity, raising concerns over potential disruption to the tournament.
Despite Pakistan’s support, sources suggest the ICC remains reluctant to alter the schedule. Officials have reportedly told the BCB that relocating Bangladesh’s matches is “not on the table” at this stage.
Speculation around Pakistan’s role has intensified in recent days. Unverified reports claimed that Pakistan had offered to host Bangladesh’s matches or could even reassess its own participation in the event depending on how the issue is resolved. The PCB, however, has not made any public statement beyond its reported communication with the ICC.
The dispute can be traced back to the sudden removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL squad, allegedly on instructions from the BCCI. That episode strained relations further, prompting the Bangladesh government to take a firm position against sending the national team to India for the World Cup.
Since then, the fallout has extended beyond international cricket. Domestic unrest has been reported in Bangladesh, including disruptions linked to player protests during the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, underlining the seriousness of the standoff.
Bangladesh officials have also rejected claims of being pressured into compliance. “We cannot be forced to play in India through unreasonable coercion,” Bangladesh Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said, adding that the venue change request was made on “logical and valid grounds.”
With Sri Lanka yet to be formally approached and alternative scenarios — including a possible replacement team — quietly discussed, the next 24 hours could prove decisive.
As the ICC weighs its options, the T20 World Cup 2026 now faces the real possibility of a major participation crisis, one that could reshape the tournament before a ball is even bowled.
