Pakistan will not boycott the 2026 T20 World Cup. Instead, they fully support Bangladesh, which didn't want to play in India because they were worried about their safety. As planned, Pakistan's matches will take place in Sri Lanka. This shows support without getting in the way of the tournament.
Bangladesh has made it clear that it will not play its matches in India during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 because it is worried about safety. The move comes after a major controversy involving Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was unexpectedly removed from the IPL 2026 despite being the most expensive Bangladeshi player ever, signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹9.20 crore. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ordered his release before the season started, citing political and security tensions rather than his performance.
Following this, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested the ICC to move all World Cup matches involving Bangladesh to Sri Lanka. The ICC has reportedly given Bangladesh a deadline of 21 January 2026 to confirm its participation and venue preference, or risk being replaced by another team such as Scotland.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed full support for Bangladesh’s stance. PCB sources stated that Pakistan also prefers to play its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka due to security and political concerns regarding matches in India. While Pakistan has paused its preparations for the tournament, the board has clarified that it has not boycotted the World Cup. Officials emphasize that Pakistan will only reconsider its participation if Bangladesh is not allowed to play in Sri Lanka and is forced to play in India.
The situation has put the ICC in a challenging position, as any change could affect match schedules, broadcasting rights, and revenue. India vs Pakistan matches are among the most-watched in the tournament, generating huge global viewership and revenue.
The ICC is in a tough spot because any change could affect match times, broadcasting rights, and money. The India vs. Pakistan games are some of the most popular in the tournament. People from all over the world watch them and pay to see them.
Bangladesh is still worried about safety, and Pakistan is still fully supporting them. The ICC is also talking to everyone involved. In the next few days, we will know for sure if the T20 World Cup 2026 will happen as planned or if changes need to be made to keep players safe and make sure the games go off without a hitch.