If Bangladesh refuses to play, Pakistan may boycott the World Cup

New tensions have emerged ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup as Bangladesh’s stance on playing matches in India has created uncertainty across the cricketing world. Reports from Geo News indicate that if Bangladesh ultimately refuses to participate in India, Pakistan may follow suit and boycott the tournament.

According to multiple sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), if the International Cricket Council (ICC) does not accede to Bangladesh’s request to move their matches out of India, Pakistan may consider withdrawing. Bangladesh has cited serious security concerns for its decision and is requesting that its matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, a co-host of the World Cup.

The current dispute traces back to the Indian Premier League (IPL), where Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was initially signed by a Kolkata-based franchise but later dropped. Following this, the broadcasting of the IPL in Bangladesh was halted, intensifying tensions. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) subsequently sought to move their World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka.

However, the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request, leaving the BCB firm in its position. The board has reiterated that the team will not travel to India under the current conditions.

This stance places Bangladesh at a crossroads. To participate in the World Cup, the team would need to rescind its demands; otherwise, it risks exclusion. The ICC has made it clear that if Bangladesh withdraws, another nation could be invited to take its place. The tournament is scheduled to commence on 7 February 2026.

BCB President Aminul Islam has requested additional time from the ICC, while today, the sports advisor will meet with the players before a final decision is announced. Senior players, including Sheikh Mehedi Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto, have expressed their eagerness to participate in the World Cup, with the majority supporting the team’s involvement.

The ICC maintains that the schedule cannot be altered without a verifiable security threat, warning that any such precedent could negatively affect the organisation of future ICC events.

According to the official schedule, Bangladesh is placed in Group C, with its opening three matches in Kolkata:

The coming days are crucial, as Bangladesh weighs its options between ensuring player safety and maintaining its place in cricket’s premier T20 event.