The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) may face a difficult situation if Pakistan refuses to play in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Following the Bangladesh cricket team’s exit from the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan government are also assessing the matter with a possible boycott.
Although the PCB has not yet taken any decision on the matter, there are some real threats to English cricket. The Test series between England and Pakistan cricket teams is also now surrounded by uncertainty.
England may face a big economic shock
Bangladesh were originally scheduled to play their T20 World Cup 2026 group matches at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. But he refused to travel to India due to ‘safety and security’ concerns. Bangladesh raised concerns over the safety of its cricketers after excluding their star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026).
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed this fast bowler for an attractive amount, but they had to release him following the instructions of BCCI. Amidst the increasing political tension between India and Bangladesh, BCCI had to ask KKR to release Rahman.
A new issue has arisen between Bangladesh Cricket Board and BCCI due to BCCI summoning Mustafizur Rahman. BCB and Bangladesh government have made it clear that their team may have to face uncertain threats in India. In a letter, he urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka. The upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Pakistan is supporting Bangladesh
Rejecting BCB’s plea, the ICC dropped Bangladesh from the tournament and included Scotland in their place. After all this, Pakistan seems to be the only country supporting Bangladesh. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, discussed the matter with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, keeping all options in mind. That means Pakistan can boycott T20 World Cup 2026.
If Pakistan wants to leave the tournament then the council can handle the matter strictly. The council also has the power to ban the Pakistan cricket team from international cricket. If this happens in real life, the England cricket team may have to face a serious financial crisis.
Will ICC impose ban on Pakistan?
The Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to travel to England for a three-match Test series starting on August 19, which is now under uncertainty due to the current situation.
According to a report in TheiPaper, the cancellation of the series will cost the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) around £105m (approximately ₹1,327.49) as the broadcast and other revenue of each Test is around £35m. At present, there has been no official comment from the ECB regarding this matter. If Pakistan cricket team is not able to play the series then ECB will try to include some other team in place of Pakistan.
read more: Pakistani cricketers rebel against Mohsin Naqvi and PCB for supporting Bangladesh in T20 World Cup controversy