The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) can face a hard situation if Pakistan refuses to play in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. After the omission of the Bangladesh cricket team from the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the government of Pakistan are also assessing the matter with a potential boycott.
Though the PCB is yet to make a decision regarding the matter, there are some real threats to English cricket as well. The Test series between the England and Pakistan cricket teams is also now under uncertainty.
England can face a major financial setback
Bangladesh was originally scheduled to play their T20 World Cup 2026 group matches at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. But they refused to travel to India for ‘safety and security’ concerns. Bangladesh raised their concerns over their cricketer’s security after the exclusion of their star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026).
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) roped in the pacer for a lucrative amount, but they had to release him after the BCCI directives. BCCI had to ask KKR to release Rahman amid the rising political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
BCCI’s call on Mustafizur Rahman escalated a fresh issue between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the BCCI. BCB and the government of Bangladesh made it clear that in India, their team could face uncertain threats. In a letter, they urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their matches from India to Sri Lanka. The upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March.
Pakistan backing Bangladesh
Turning down BCB’s plea, ICC removed Bangladesh from the tournament and included Scotland to replace them. After all these things, Pakistan appears as the only nation to support Bangladesh. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, discussed the matter with the prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, keeping all options on the table. Which means it is possible to see Pakistan boycotting the T20 World Cup 2026.
If Pakistan wants to skip the tournament, then the council can handle the matter with a hard hand. The council has the power to ban the Pakistan cricket team from international cricket as well. If this happens in real life, then the England cricket team can face serious financial trouble.
ICC to impose a ban on Pakistan?
The Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to travel to England for a three-match Test series, starting on August 19, which is now under uncertainty because of the current situation.
According to a report in TheiPaper, cancellation of the series would cost the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) around £105m (₹1,327.49 crore approx) as each Test is worth around £35m in broadcast and other revenues. As of now, there are no official comments from the ECB regarding the matter. In case the Pakistan cricket team is unable to play the series, then the ECB will try to replace Pakistan with any other team.
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