Even before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has begun, controversies are already making headlines. Tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated due to ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, straining bilateral relations.
The ICC T20 World Cup is set to begin on 7 February 2026. With only a few days left for the mega ICC event, multiple issues have surfaced. Pakistani-origin players are reportedly facing difficulties obtaining visas to India, while Bangladesh is reportedly reluctant to play against India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had earlier decided to skip the tournament in India after IPL franchises released Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman due to security concerns.
Will Pakistan Boycott in Support of Bangladesh?
According to a report by Geo News, Pakistan was initially seen as a potential supporter of Bangladesh’s stance, and there were speculations that they might reconsider their participation in the ICC tournament if the Bangladesh issue remained unresolved.
However, reports from Revsports indicate that Pakistan will not boycott the T20 World Cup 2026. A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told the publication:
“No, this is not PCB’s stand. Pakistan has no reason to take such a step, especially since ICC points out that their matches are being played in Sri Lanka anyway. Such claims are only meant to stir controversy.”
Bangladesh Bans IPL Following Controversy
Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL after his signing by Kolkata Knight Riders drew criticism due to the ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Following this, the Bangladesh Cricket Board took a firm decision to ban the IPL in the country. Subsequently, the BCCI instructed KKR to release Mustafizur, after which the Bangladesh board expressed concerns about sending their team to India for the World Cup.
The stage is now set for a high-voltage ICC T20 World Cup, with geopolitical tensions adding an unexpected layer to the cricketing drama.
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