Despite Bangladesh’s position, Pakistan will participate in the World Cup

Jan 29, 2026
Sports

File Image: Pakistan Team (Collected)

Staff Report: PNN

There had been discussions and rumors for some time that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup in support of Bangladesh. However, recent sources and media reports indicate that Pakistan is not pursuing that path.

According to PCB sources, the Pakistan team has already booked flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Cricket analysts interpret this move as preparation for participating in the World Cup, signaling that Pakistan has stepped back from the decision to boycott, unlike Bangladesh.

Telecom Asia Sports reported that Salman Ali Aghar-led Pakistan team will travel to Colombo together after finishing their series against Australia. This tour plan strengthens their preparations for the World Cup and practically eliminates the possibility of a boycott.

Previously, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had said that due to concerns about Bangladesh’s venues and security, they were considering the possibility of a boycott. However, a proposal to change the venue at the ICC meeting was rejected 14–2, after which Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held discussions. Diplomatically supporting Bangladesh, the Prime Minister advised against a boycott, taking into account potential economic losses.

Additionally, opinions from experienced figures like President Asif Ali Zardari, high-ranking military and sports officials, former PCB Chairmen Najam Sethi, and Ramiz Raja also leaned towards participating in the tournament. Especially, the probability of not boycotting the match against India is currently high.

Senior journalist Mujammil Sohrawardy of ‘Hum News’ said, considering public opinion and practical realities, Pakistan is highly likely to play in the World Cup. He mentioned that broadcasts and commercial revenues from the Pakistan–India match alone account for more than 60% of ICC revenue, making participation financially crucial.

Pakistan’s first two matches are expected against the Netherlands and the United States. Unless something unexpected happens, the team aims to perform well in these matches to reach the Super Eight stage, which may also include playing against India.

Overall, even though there is no formal announcement yet, flight bookings and preparations effectively put an end to the boycott speculation. Cricket fans believe that while Pakistan diplomatically supports Bangladesh, it will ultimately compete on the World Cup field.