Source News 18
DUBAI – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly issued a stern “final warning” to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, signaling that any attempt to boycott the 2026 T20 World Cup could lead to the nation’s total isolation from the global cricketing ecosystem.
The governing body’s aggressive stance follows Naqvi’s recent comments suggesting Pakistan might withdraw from the marquee event in solidarity with Bangladesh. The ICC has already replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the former refused to play their scheduled matches in India, citing security concerns.
The Ultimatum: “No World Cup, No Cricket”
Sources within the ICC indicate that the council is “extremely displeased” with Naqvi’s public accusations of “double standards.” In response, a package of unprecedented sanctions has been put on the table. If Pakistan follows through with a pull-out, they face:
Exclusion from the Asia Cup: Pakistan would be barred from participating in future editions of the regional tournament.
Suspension of Bilateral Series: A complete freeze on all scheduled series against other full-member nations.
PSL Crippled: The ICC could coordinate a blanket denial of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for all foreign players, effectively preventing international stars from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Financial Haemorrhage: A total halt to ICC funding distributions, which form the backbone of the PCB’s revenue.
“We Obey the Government, Not the ICC”
Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, has remained defiant. Speaking to reporters, he argued that Bangladesh was treated unfairly compared to India, who were granted a “hybrid model” for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
“Bangladesh is a major stakeholder, and this injustice should not be done,” Naqvi stated. He further escalated the tension by claiming the PCB is not beholden to the ICC’s directives: “Our stance will be what the government of Pakistan instructs me. We obey them, not the ICC.”
A Game of High-Stakes Chicken
Despite the fiery rhetoric, there are signs the PCB may be blinking. On Sunday, just hours after the reports of sanctions surfaced, Pakistan officially announced their 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup, with Salman Ali Agha named as captain.
While the squad announcement suggests participation is back on track, the rift between Naqvi and the ICC remains deep. With the tournament set to begin on February 7, the cricketing world is watching to see if the Pakistan government will provide the final “green signal” or if the sport is headed for a historic schism.
