The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly miffed by the Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s suggestions to pull out of the 2026 T20 World Cup, just days before its opener on February 7. The world body is ready to impose stringent sanctions on Pakistan cricket, effectively a total blackout, if it follows Bangladesh and refuses to participate.
“If Pakistan also decides not to play the T20 World Cup, the ICC will impose a series of sanctions, including no bilateral series with any international team, no NOC for foreign players in PSL, and no Asia Cup participation,” a source was quoted as saying.
It’s unclear what rules the ICC would use to put such sanctions on a major cricketing body. The only similar precedent is the 22-year-long ban on South Africa during the apartheid era.
The ICC announced Bangladesh’s omission from the marquee event on Saturday. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had refused to travel to India for the four group-stage matches, citing security concerns. ICC rejected those concerns, and the two parties couldn’t find an amicable solution after three weeks of deliberation, leading to Scotland replacing Bangladesh by virtue of their T20I rankings.
