The International Cricket Council (ICC) is apparently dissatisfied with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi's recent statements in support of Bangladesh, according to The Indian Express.

Naqvi had previously challenged the ICC for applying "double standards," claiming that Bangladesh was handled unfairly. He also stated that Pakistan's participation in the World Cup would be decided at the highest government level, pending Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's return from abroad.

“Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. One country can make any decision whenever, while it is the opposite for another. Bangladesh is a major stakeholder, and this injustice should not happen,” Naqvi told reporters.

The PCB has urged the ICC to take into account a hybrid format for Bangladesh, akin to Pakistan's arrangement that permits Pakistan to host all of its Twenty20 World Cup matches in Colombo.

“Bangladesh is a full ICC member like Pakistan. If a similar favor has been extended to Pakistan and India, the same should apply to Bangladesh. One country cannot dictate terms to another,” Naqvi said.

According to Indian Express cricket sources, if Pakistan follows suit and opts out of the competition, the ICC may apply punishment. These might include the suspension of all bilateral series, the rejection of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for foreign players in Pakistan's Super League (PSL), and exclusion from the Asia Cup.

“If Pakistan also decides not to play the T20 World Cup, the ICC will impose a series of sanctions, including no bilateral series with any international team, no NOC for foreign players in PSL, and no Asia Cup participation,” a source said.

Probably the threat seemingly worked, as PCB recently announced its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. This was done by PCB director Aaqib Javed, in the presence of Captain Salman Ali Agha and Head Coach Michael Hesson, in a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Babar Azam was included in the 15-man Pakistan squad captained by Salman Ali Agha. The squad also included Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and Naseem Shah, amongst others.

Pakistan is placed in Group A with India, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia, and will open their tournament against the Netherlands on 7 February in Colombo.

Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup:

Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (WK), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (WK) and Usman Tariq.