Bangladesh Controversy: Is Pakistan Trying to Derail the T20 World Cup 2026?

The controversy over Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 in India is escalating, and Pakistan appears to be fueling the fire. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has openly supported Bangladesh in its demand to shift matches out of India, hinting that if Bangladesh is excluded, Pakistan may reconsider its own participation in the tournament.

PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi at the Center of the Issue
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also holds a ministerial post in the Pakistan government, has reportedly indicated that Pakistan will side with Bangladesh if any exclusion occurs. Sources suggest that this move follows Bangladesh’s approach to Islamabad, seeking diplomatic and cricketing support to pressurize India. Analysts say Pakistan’s strategy aims to both align Bangladesh with its interests in Asian cricket and disrupt the India-hosted tournament.

Bangladesh Government Seeks Pakistan’s Support
Under government pressure, the Bangladesh Cricket Board had initially announced that the team might not play in India. Following this, the Bangladeshi government reportedly reached out to Pakistan for backing, receiving positive signals from Islamabad. Pakistani authorities have justified Bangladesh’s demand to shift matches and have warned that if the matter is unresolved, they will reconsider their own participation in the World Cup. Leading Pakistani media outlets such as Geo Super and TelecomAsia.net have confirmed these developments. Officials claim they respect their neighbor’s security concerns while keeping a close watch to prevent undue pressure on India.

ICC Sets Deadline for Bangladesh
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently engaged with Bangladeshi officials to resolve the issue. Bangladesh remained firm on not playing in India. The ICC has now given Bangladesh until January 21 to decide whether it will participate on Indian soil. If no decision is reached, the ICC has warned that it will name a replacement team for Bangladesh in the tournament. Early indications suggest that Bangladesh may maintain its stance, potentially leading to its exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2026.