ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India is pending a final decision by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The premier will review recommendations from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), sources told Geo News on Monday.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to brief PM Shehbaz after attending a long meeting with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials. Discussions lasted over five hours, with the PCB acting as the main coordinator.
Pakistan decided to potentially boycott the T20 clash with India in support of Bangladesh. The BCB was removed from the tournament over security concerns and refused to send their team to New Delhi. This move prompted Pakistan’s strong response in solidarity.
During the meeting, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja and BCB President Aminul Islam discussed proposals to resolve Bangladesh’s grievances. Sources said the ICC responded positively, preparing a formula to address the concerns. Officials are expected to reconnect later to finalize the next steps.
The T20 dispute escalated after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL), reportedly at the direction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCB requested ICC to move its matches outside India, which was rejected. Scotland replaced Bangladesh in the tournament schedule.
An India-Pakistan T20 match is one of the most lucrative fixtures in cricket, with estimated commercial value of around $500 million. Broadcast rights, sponsorships, advertising, and ticket sales contribute to this massive sum. Advertising slots alone can fetch between INR25 lakh and INR40 lakh for a 10-second spot.
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The PCB’s boycott decision could impact broadcast revenue immediately, with projections suggesting advertising losses of approximately INR300 crore. Cricket fans worldwide are watching closely as the final decision by PM Shehbaz will determine Pakistan’s participation in the T20 blockbuster.
