Pakistan clarifies no T20 World Cup 2026 boycott over Bangladesh matter - Reports

Cricket supporters have been waiting for the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s final decision on whether to send their national cricket team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The ICC has given them a deadline until January 21. Recently, a new development has emerged regarding this issue. Reports suggest that Pakistan has made their decision clear that they will not boycott the event to show solidarity with Bangladesh. 

Earlier, some reports suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had halted their preparation for the event and totally backed the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s decision not travel to India for the tournament, even though they are going to reconsider their participation for the World Cup, but now, the PCB has dismissed that idea. The event is scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh remains firm in its stance not travel to India for the event and has repeatedly demanded that the venue be moved from India to Sri Lanka. Triggered by the Bangladesh government, the BCB has continued to push for alternatives, including a proposal to swap groups with Ireland.

Bangladesh is currently kept in Group C along with Italy, the West Indies, England, and Nepal. They will start their campaign against the West Indies on February 07. Following this, they will face Italy and England on February 09 and 14, respectively. Bangladesh will play their final group stage match against Nepal on Feb 17. They will play their first three group stage matches at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, while their last match will be held at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. A group swap would move them to Group B, whose matches are slated to be played in Sri Lanka.

The PCB, under the political and administrative leadership of Mohsin Naqvi, has expressed support for Bangladesh's decision to avoid playing T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India due to security and diplomatic concerns raised by Dhaka. They were also showing interest in hosting Bangladesh’s group stage matches, if required, but the ICC has denied this. 

Bangladesh's request to relocate the matches aligns with its decision to withdraw from participating in India, possibly shifting the games to Sri Lanka or another venue to avoid Indian grounds entirely. 
After the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) declined to play in India over security issues, Bangladesh had reportedly reached out to Pakistan for diplomatic and cricketing support; the PCB has firmly denied any intention of boycotting the tournament. 

"The Bangladesh government contacted officials in Pakistan to seek support regarding their participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup and received a positive response," a source said.

The deadlock began after Bangladesh refused to send its team to India, despite an ICC security assessment that found no specific threats. After discussions with the ICC on Saturday, the BCB stated it would "continue engaging in constructive dialogue on this matter" but did not change its position.

In the last couple of months, relations between India and Bangladesh have worsened, especially after Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, due to strained bilateral ties. In response, Bangladesh banned IPL broadcasts in the country. Soon after, the BCB informed the ICC that it would not participate in any World Cup matches in India—a stance it has maintained.

Till January 21, the Bangladesh Cricket Board will have to take a final decision on whether they will travel to India or not. If not, then BCB will have to face the consequences from the ICC. Multiple reports suggest that Bangladesh will be replaced by Scotland if they do not travel to India for the event.