The off-field drama around T20 World Cup 2026 refuses to relent and after Bangladesh, it is now Pakistan's turn to up the ante on the International Cricket Council (ICC). While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced their World Cup squad on Sunday (January 25), PCB boss Mohsin Naqvi maintained his stance that the team's participation was subject to the Pakistan government's clearance.
On Monday (January 26), Naqvi is set to meet Pakistan Prime Miniser Shehbaz Sharif at 4 pm local time to make a final call on Pakistan's World Cup participation. Meanwhile, strong reports suggest a powerful statement from the PCB and speculation is rife about a possible boycott of the India game on February 15.
Popular Pakistan television channel Geo News has already given out an indication of this development while former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has put up a cryptic post on social media to suggest an incoming explosion from the PCB. Boycotting the entire tournament might also be a possibility but that could land the PCB and the Pakistan team in serious trouble with the ICC.
Remember, Pakistan's demands of playing in a neutral venue were already met, which is why they are scheduled to play all their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Sri Lanka. However, they can still go ahead and boycott the India game because political tensions between the two countries are currently at an all-time high.
Big breaking news on the way Pakistan zindabad
— Basit Ali (@BasitAOfficial) January 26, 2026
Also, the 2025 Asia Cup saw these tensions escalate further as India's cricketers refused to shake hands with their Pakistan counterparts at any point on match day. The PCB also allegedly wants to show its solidarity for Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Cricket Board by forfeiting the game against their arch-rivals.
How much of these speculations turn out to be true, we shall know in a few hours time. One thing is for certain, Pakistan is planning to unleash a shock news.
