Mohsin Naqvi drops a ‘BOMBSHELL’ after Bangladesh’s Fate after T20 World Cup 2026 Exit, says that…
It’s safe to say the cricket world is in a bit of a tailspin right now. We’re just weeks away from the 2026 T20 World Cup, but instead of talking about powerplays and death bowling, everyone’s talking about diplomacy and deadlocks.
The biggest bombshell? Bangladesh is officially out. After a tense standoff over playing in India, the ICC has pulled the trigger and replaced them with Scotland. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Now, Pakistan’s participation is hanging by a thread too.
The Bangladesh Exit: How We Got Here
It all started when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) flat-out refused to send their team to India, citing major security concerns. They weren’t asking to skip the tournament, they actually wanted their matches moved to co-host Sri Lanka.
But the ICC wasn’t having it. During a high-stakes board meeting on January 21, the request was rejected. The governing body’s logic? Their security assessment for India showed a “moderate to low” threat level, and moving games now would set a “dangerous precedent.”
Bangladesh was given a 24-hour ultimatum to change their minds. They didn’t blink. The result? The ICC officially invited Scotland to take their spot in Group C.
Pakistan’s ‘Double Standards’ Stance
This is where it gets really interesting. Pakistan was the only country out of 15 members to back Bangladesh. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi didn’t hold back, calling the ICC’s move a display of “double standards.”
“You cannot have one country making whatever decision it wants and then doing the total opposite for another,” Naqvi told reporters in Lahore.
His point is simple, if India can refuse to travel to Pakistan for tournaments (like the Champions Trophy), why is Bangladesh being punished for having similar concerns about India? Naqvi argues that as a major stakeholder, Bangladesh has been treated unfairly.
Will Pakistan Pull Out Too?
Now, the million-dollar question: Will the ‘Green Shirts’ actually skip the World Cup? Naqvi has made it clear that the PCB isn’t making this call alone. They’re waiting for the Prime Minister to return to make a final decision. It’s a massive game of high-stakes poker. If Pakistan follows Bangladesh’s lead and withdraws, the tournament loses one of its biggest draws and most iconic rivalries.
Scotland replaces Bangladesh in T20 WC
As it stands, Scotland is already preparing to face the West Indies, England, Italy, and Nepal in Group C. The tournament is still scheduled to kick off on February 7, but the shadow of this political drama is looming large.
For fans, it’s a heartbreaking situation. We want to see the best players on the biggest stage, but right now, the boardroom is louder than the stadium.