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Pakistan Halts T20 World Cup Prep, Backs Bangladesh's India Boycott

The Pakistan Cricket Board has suspended its team's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in a show of solidarity with Bangladesh. This action follows Bangladesh's demand to have its matches relocated from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns. Pakistan's PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister, confirmed Pakistan's full backing for Bangladesh and warned of reconsidering its own participation. The ICC faces a delicate situation, with a potential $2 million fine for Pakistan if it withdraws without valid reason, and must make a final decision by January 21.

Key Points: Pakistan Stops T20 WC Prep Over Bangladesh India Dispute

  • Pakistan halts World Cup prep
  • Supports Bangladesh's security fears
  • Faces potential $2M fine for withdrawal
  • ICC to decide on match relocation by Jan 21
  • Bangladesh proposes group swap with Ireland
3 min read

Pakistan halts team's T20 World Cup preparations in support of Bangladesh

PCB halts team preparations, threatens T20 World Cup withdrawal in solidarity with Bangladesh's demand to move matches from India.

"Pakistan fully backs Bangladesh and will reconsider its own participation - PCB sources"

Mumbai, Jan 19

Acting on its threat to withdraw from the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in support of Bangladesh's demand to move its matches out of India, the Pakistan Cricket Board has halted its team's preparations for the event, to be organised by India and Sri Lanka next month, according to a news report.

A day after Pakistan threatened to pull out of the T20 World Cup if Bangladesh's demand to relocate its matches out of India was not accepted, the PCB has acted and asked the team to ease up on its preparations for the event, Telecom Asia Sport reported on Monday.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put on hold all preparations for the national team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with the team management briefed about the plans," top PCB sources told www.telecomasia.net.

Pakistan has expressed full support for Bangladesh's decision not to travel to India over security fears during a contact between Dhaka and Islamabad on Saturday. PCB's chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is part of the coalition government as Interior Minister, holds a prominent place as a Senator, and is well-versed in Pakistan's outreach to Bangladesh on various issues, the report said.

"Naqvi was part of the talks between the Pakistan and Bangladesh governments on Saturday, telling them that Pakistan fully backs Bangladesh and will reconsider its own participation in the event in case Bangladesh's demands are not resolved as per their wish," the report quoted sources as telling www.telecomasia.net

Sources said the PCB has informed the government that Pakistan's pullout will not be easy, as they will have to present the government's advice and provide a valid reason. If they fail to provide a valid reason, they may face a fine of up to two million dollars for violating the Member's Participation Agreement, which all members sign with the ICC.

PCB, sources said, has also offered to host Bangladesh's fixtures in the T20 World Cup if venues in Sri Lanka are unavailable.

Bangladesh has demanded that their matches be relocated to Sri Lanka after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked Kolkata Knight Riders to revoke the contract and release their pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the upcoming IPL 2026.

Media reports suggest the International Cricket Council (ICC) will take a final decision regarding Bangladesh's request by January 21. These reports followed a meeting between the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, at which both parties maintained their respective stances.

Bangladesh had also suggested to the ICC that it consider moving its team to Group B, swapping places with Ireland, which plays its group matches in Sri Lanka. The ICC has reportedly assured Ireland that no such move will be taken.

The ICC officials are irked by the BCB's stance, as they have understood that the BCB has assured them there is no security threat to Bangladesh. ICC has also impressed upon Bangladesh that if they withdraw, then they will nominate a replacement team, with Scotland currently next in line based on rankings, the report claimed.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan, this is disappointing. The T20 World Cup is a celebration of the sport. Teams pulling out or making demands at the last minute hurts the fans the most. I hope the ICC finds a sensible solution quickly.
A
Arjun K
The real issue seems to be Mustafizur Rahman's IPL contract, not security. Using that as an excuse to move matches is not fair. The BCCI has every right to manage player availability for its league. PCB backing this just shows it's more about politics than cricket. 🇮🇳
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Priya S
Honestly, if teams don't want to come, let them stay home. Scotland or another deserving team can get a chance. We host the IPL with players from all over the world every year without issues. This feels like a manufactured crisis.
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Vikram M
With respect, I think the BCCI could have handled the Mustafizur issue with more diplomacy. It's created unnecessary friction before a world event. That said, Pakistan's reaction is extreme. Halting preparations hurts their own players most.
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Karthik V
$2 million fine is no joke! PCB should think twice before making such grand gestures. Their team will be the one losing out on World Cup practice and possibly a huge penalty. Focus on the game, yaar!

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