The Bangladesh exclusion saga from the World Cup has taken a shift; the focus has now moved to Pakistan. The speculation over Pakistan's participation was stimulated when the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, made a few remarks. It is expected that an out-and-out boycott will not happen, as they have announced their 15-member squad just a few days ago, which will be led by Salman Agha.
Though sources have reported that they can boycott their match against India as a protest, showing solidarity for Bangladesh. The PCB supreme has confirmed that the final decision will be made on Friday or next Monday. Naqvi has already met Pakistan’s sports minister to discuss this matter. He also confirmed that the final call will be left to the government.
Naqvi accused the ICC of ‘double standards’
Mohsin Naqvi accused the ICC of favouring India every time and quoted it as a double standard. He also showed his solidarity with Bangladesh, terming what happened to them as “an injustice.”
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India boycotted playing in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025; at the time, the ICC shifted all matches of India to the UAE. Naqvi said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo, "You can't have double standards. You can't say for one country they can do whatever they want, and for the others to have to do the complete opposite. That's why we've taken this stand, and made clear that Bangladesh have had an injustice done to them. They should play in the World Cup; they are a major stakeholder in cricket." He also confirmed that they are looking for all potential options.
ICC’s stand on this matter
Meanwhile, the ICC is ready to apply unprecedented fines that could lead to complete cricket isolation if Pakistan proceeds with its exit. According to reports, a coordinated "No NOC" policy among member boards to prohibit foreign stars from playing in the PSL is one of these options, along with the possibility of suspending all bilateral series and excluding them from the Asia Cup. In addition to severely impairing the PCB's main sources of income, such sanctions would destroy Pakistan's domestic cricket's commercial value and prevent the national team from playing internationally outside of significant ICC events.
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Pakistan's first match is scheduled to take place just four days after the deadline for their final decision.
