Amid speculations of Pakistan pulling out from the prestigious ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the other team that can take advantage of the situation will be African team Uganda, the next highest-ranked team that failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup.
The exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL sparked widespread anger within the Bangladesh Cricket Board, who were angered by the insult. The BCB then immediately responded to claims of security concerns in India and hence sought to change the venue to Sri Lanka.
However, the ICC has turned down all their offers, and in turn Bangladesh’s sports advisor announced that they will not travel to India and will boycott this edition of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
Revealed: If Pakistan withdraws from T20 World Cup 2026, then who will replace it?
After Bangladesh announced its stand, all eyes are on Pakistan to see what it says on this matter. Pakistan had earlier claimed that if Bangladesh were treated unfairly then it too would be out of the competition.
Now, the PCB may consider the option of withdrawing from the competition like Bangladesh did in protest against the injustice done to them. Therefore, if the ICC has to consider replacement options for Pakistan, African underdog Uganda is a possible contender for the role.
After Scotland, who are 14th in the ICC rankings and could be considered to replace Bangladesh for the World Cup, Uganda is the next best-ranked team not to qualify for the ICC competition. Currently, they are ranked 21st in the ICC Men’s T20I Rankings and failed to beat Zimbabwe and Namibia to qualify for the T20 World Cup.
Many of you are asking
If Pakistan withdraws from T20 World Cup 2026, then who will replace them?
This would be Uganda.
After Scotland (13th) – who have now replaced Bangladesh, Uganda (21st) is the highest-ranked team not to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026.
– Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) 25 January 2026
ICC threatens to ban PCB to stop T20 WC boycott
Following reports claiming that the PCB was considering options to follow Bangladesh’s footsteps and withdraw from the tournament, the ICC took immediate action against the board. According to further reports, ICC has warned him of ban.
He warned that the PCB’s national team would be banned from playing in any bilateral series and excluded from participating in the Asia Cup and their domestic franchise league, the PSL, would also face consequences as they would not give NOCs for foreign players in the Pakistan Super League.
It appears that this has worked to the ICC’s advantage as the PCB has revealed their squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which is a clear indication that they are no longer considering the option of withdrawing from the competition.
ICC T20I team ranking
| Post | Team | Matchbox | score | rating |
| 1 | India | 73 | 19914 | 273 |
| 2 | Australia | 42 | 11199 | 267 |
| 3 | England | 45 | 11609 | 258 |
| 4 | new zealand | 55 | 13762 | 250 |
| 5 | South Africa | 53 | 12739 | 240 |
| 6 | west indies | 64 | 15038 | 235 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 75 | 17604 | 235 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 50 | 11422 | 228 |
| 9 | bangladesh | 67 | 14925 | 223 |
| 10 | afghanistan | 48 | 10650 | 222 |
| 11 | ireland | 38 | 7649 | 201 |
| 12 | zimbabwe | 66 | 13190 | 200 |
| 13 | Netherlands | 35 | 6366 | 182 |
| 14 | scotland | 23 | 4178 | 182 |
| 15 | namibia | 35 | 6344 | 181 |
| 16 | united arab emirates | 60 | 10584 | 176 |
| 17 | Nepal | 42 | 7384 | 176 |
| 18 | usa | 33 | 5769 | 175 |
| 19 | Canada | 35 | 5374 |
154 |
| 20 | oman | 47 | 7140 | 152 |
| 21 | uganda | 56 | 7952 | 142 |
Also read: With the match between India and Uganda being fixed at Narendra Modi Stadium, the pace of Pakistan’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup has increased.