ICC Sends Strong Warning to Pakistan Over T20 World Cup Boycott

The ICC has issued a significant warning to Pakistan relating to the potential boycott of the T20 World Cup, a move that may lead to unprecedented penalties, according to sources in the press.

This warning from the ICC follows comments made by Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who endorsed Bangladesh’s decision to withdraw from the tournament due to security issues.

Sources reveal that if Pakistan decides to follow in Bangladesh’s footsteps, the ICC might interpret this as a direct challenge to its authority, prompting a robust response to uphold the integrity of international competitions.

A withdrawal from the T20 World Cup could have detrimental effects on Pakistan’s reputation in world cricket and inflict long-term financial and structural damage to the PCB. The ICC stands ready to impose unprecedented sanctions should Pakistan choose to exit the tournament.

Potential Sanctions Facing Pakistan

Possible repercussions may include prohibiting foreign players from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), significant revenue losses for the PCB due to decreased ICC financial support, and the withdrawal of international recognition and commercial support for the PSL. Additional measures might consist of exclusion from the Asia Cup and suspension of all bilateral series involving Pakistan.

Naqvi’s Position on Government Guidance

Naqvi previously stated that Pakistan’s approach to the World Cup will be directed by government instructions.

He mentioned that the final decision could only be disclosed following the Prime Minister’s return. Naqvi indicated, “The government directs our stance. We follow their guidance, not the ICC.”

Contingency Planning by the PCB

When questioned about the PCB’s backup plans should Pakistan miss out on the tournament, Naqvi revealed that the board has several options—Plans A, B, C, and D—although he did not disclose specific details. Nonetheless, sources confirm that the PCB understands that a complete boycott of the T20 World Cup could lead to irreversible consequences.

Bangladesh’s decision to withdraw from the tournament was driven by security concerns and issues surrounding venue arrangements. Tensions intensified after the Kolkata Knight Riders removed Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 lineup, resulting in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requesting that their T20 World Cup matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, a request that the ICC declined.

Following discussions with players on January 22, Bangladesh officially decided to boycott the tournament.