The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee may have announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but there is still confusion over whether the team will actually take part in the global event starting on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
PCB announces squad, but Pakistan’s participation in T20 World Cup 2026 still unclear
The PCB has made it clear that the announcement of the team does not mean that Pakistan will play in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan is the only nation that still stands with Bangladesh, and now they are planning to follow the same path at the cost of missing out on the global event.
The ICC is caught in this new drama after Bangladesh was removed from the T20 World Cup and Scotland was replaced in their place. The global body made the call after Bangladesh refused to travel to India citing security concerns despite security assurances and no threat.
Also read: Revealed: If Pakistan withdraws, who will replace them in T20 World Cup 2026?
Pakistan ready to declare war with ICC after Scotland replaces Bangladesh
Soon after the announcement of Bangladesh’s replacement by Scotland, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvim, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, hinted that Pakistan may also stay away from the tournament to show support towards Bangladesh. He clarified that the Pakistan government will take the final decision.
Well, despite those strong words, the PCB has announced the squad just before the deadline. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which was attended by senior officials from Pakistan’s selection panel, high performance unit and white-ball coaching staff.
The message of PCB was clear that it is their responsibility to choose the team, but playing in the T20 World Cup 2026 is not completely in their hands. Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed stressed that Pakistan’s participation is still not confirmed, as the government will review the situation and decide whether the team should travel for the showpiece event.
Government will take the final decision: Aaqib Javed
“We are selectors and our job is to pick the team. We have announced the team very close to the deadline. The government will decide on our participation, so I can’t say anything on that front. The chairman has also said the same, so we will wait for his decision,” Aaqib Javed said at the press conference.
Also read: ‘Babar Azam can’t bat in powerplay’: Mike Hesson, Aaqib Javed mercilessly mock batsmen despite T20 World Cup selection
All of Pakistan’s group-stage matches in the tournament are to be played in Sri Lanka. This is part of an earlier agreement between the PCB, BCCI and ICC, under which India and Pakistan matches are to be held at neutral venues till 2027.
Notably, Pakistan has been placed in Group A along with India, Netherlands, Namibia and the United States. They will take on Netherlands in the opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo on February 7.
