ICC has given Bangladesh 24 hours to given their final decision on T20 World Cup participation.
Rashid Latif, a former captain of Pakistan, called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to support Bangladesh by boycotting the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) faces expulsion from the T20 World Cup if it refuses to travel to India, claiming security concerns.
The ICC said in a statement on Wednesday that Bangladesh's request to move matches to Sri Lanka would not be granted and that the original schedule will be maintained. The BCB had a full day to discuss their involvement with their government and make a final decision.
Pakistan had shown solidarity with the Bangladesh board over their demands for a group swap and matches out of India, and reports had stated that PCB might also boycott the ICC event to support Bangladesh.
Amidst the ongoing tussle between the ICC and the Bangladesh board, Latif has asked the PCB to take the opportunity to challenge the existing cricketing order and the Indian board and pull out of the T20 World Cup.
“If Pakistan and India don’t happen, 50 percent of your World Cup is gone. This is a great opportunity to challenge the existing cricket order. Pakistan should say they stand with Bangladesh and refuse to play the T20 World Cup. This is the time to take a stand. You need a strong heart to do it,” Latif said on the YouTube channel Caught Behind Show.
Latif also slammed ICC for refusing to honor Bangladesh’s requests and urged them to move their matches to Sri Lanka. He cited the precedent between India and Pakistan, as the two teams play their ICC event matches in neutral venues.
“It doesn’t feel like a good decision. Today, the ICC says there is no danger to Bangladeshi players in India. No agency in the world can say there is no danger—how can the ICC say that? Even in the most secure places, no one can give such a guarantee. Hopefully, nothing happens to any team,” he said.
“The trump card is still with Pakistan. Bangladesh’s stance is right. Pakistan won’t get a better opportunity than this. Pakistan not playing would be like stopping the World Cup. Pakistan is the key. Yes, Pakistan could suffer in the future. There could be sanctions if Pakistan refuses to play ICC events. But there is no use of just words—now is the time to show who you support,” he added.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8 across eight venues. Bangladesh is in Group C alongside England, Nepal, Italy, and the West Indies, while Pakistan is clubbed in Group A with India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA.