Pakistan has indicated that it may reconsider its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 if the ongoing concerns surrounding Bangladesh’s security issues remain unresolved, adding fresh uncertainty to the build-up of the global event scheduled in India and Sri Lanka next month.
According to a report by Pakistan-based media outlet Geo News, government sources in Islamabad confirmed that Pakistan is closely monitoring developments involving the Bangladesh cricket team, which has raised serious reservations about travelling to India due to security concerns. The Bangladesh government has reportedly sought Pakistan’s support on the issue, urging a collective stance to ensure the safety of players, officials and fans.
Geo News quoted insiders as saying that Pakistan believes no country should be subjected to pressure or threats in matters of hosting international sporting events. Pakistan has assured Bangladesh of its full support and emphasised that unresolved concerns could impact not only Bangladesh’s participation but also the broader preparations for the tournament.
Earlier this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) publicly expressed its willingness to host Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches if alternative venues, particularly in Sri Lanka, are not made available.
PCB officials told Geo News that Pakistan has formally communicated this offer to the International Cricket Council (ICC), highlighting its readiness and recent experience in successfully hosting major ICC events, including the Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women’s Qualifier.
Meanwhile, the ICC has held meetings with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Dhaka to discuss possible solutions, including a potential group swap. However, the proposal has reportedly gained little traction. Cricket Ireland has already dismissed speculation of any group-stage changes, confirming that its matches will remain in Sri Lanka as originally scheduled.
Under the current fixture list, Bangladesh are set to play group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai. With Pakistan now signalling that it may also review its participation if Bangladesh’s concerns are ignored, pressure is mounting on the ICC to find an acceptable resolution ahead of the tournament, which runs from 7 February to 8 March.
